UMaine women's basketball team involved in crash

GEORGETOWN, Mass. (WHDH) -- The University of Maine women’s basketball team was involved in a serious bus crash on Interstate 95 in Georgetown Tuesday night.

A University of Maine women's basketball player broke her hand and the team's head coach sustained minor facial cuts due to the crash.

A university spokeswoman said freshman guard Milica Mitrovic broke her hand and head coach Richard Barron was treated for facial cuts after the bus crossed a median on Interstate 95 at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, went across the northbound lanes and down an embankment in Georgetown.

State Police said preliminary investigations suggest the charter bus was driving southbound when it crossed the median and crashed into woods adjacent to northbound side. 7News was told 17 students and three coaches were on the bus. They were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for either minor injuries or precautionary evaluation.

The University of Maine Athletic Director Steve Abbott told 7News the driver of the bus may have suffered a medical issue and witnesses said the driver slumped over the wheel. 7News was told the assistant coach attempted to take control of the vehicle when it crashed.

State police said the driver suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was extricated from wreckage. The driver was then flown by helicopter to Boston Medical Center.

All the players and staff were taken to three area hospitals for observation and released early Wednesday. Abbott said the players who were not seriously injured will stay in a hotel Tuesday night.

A cruiser was struck from behind as it was leaving the crash scene, but no one was seriously injured, according to state police.

State police said the bus belongs to the company Cyr and Sons from Old Town, Maine. Tow trucks removed the bus from the scene late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.

The University of Maine team was scheduled to play Boston University Wednesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.