YOUR AD HERE »

School bus with Montrose wrestling team involved in crash near Rangely

Andrew Kiser/Montrose Daily Press
Cole Simmons and Ben Robuck of Montrose High School Wrestling team challenged each other during a practice as they prepared for the Utah Tournament, which began Friday. An MHS bus carrying JV and varsity wrestlers crashed on the way to the tournament.
Christina Martin/Montrose Daily Press

The Montrose County School District administration reported that the Montrose High School wrestling team’s bus crashed Friday morning on Douglas Pass near Rangely. No passengers were injured in the accident.

Two buses were headed to the two-day Utah Tournament of Champions, which began Friday.

“It’s not really good news to hear when you’re driving and you don’t have service,” said coach Neil Samples, who was in another bus when he learned of the accident. “You kind of know what’s going on, but you don’t. You’re trying to get ahold of people and figure things out. It’s really not a good way to start our weekend. But everybody’s healthy. Nobody is hurt so that’s a good thing.”

The bus that crashed held both varsity and JV wrestlers, Samples said. Those who were on the vehicle won’t compete in the tournament, as Colorado State Patrol and emergency medical technicians wanted the students to be evaluated even further, he added.

“We’re missing some of them but I would rather them be healthy and safe than wrestling right now,” Samples said. “… They wanted to take them all to the hospital just to check them all out again; instead of risking any further injuries.”

This was the first year the Indians participated in the meet, Samples said.

“As far as I know nobody is hurt but if they (wrestlers) are, they (hospital staff) can take care and get them home safely. They’re going back home,” he said.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Craig and Moffat County make the Craig Press’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.