(final update at 6:15-p.m.)

Only minor injuries were reported following a motor coach rollover accident this (Monday) morning, in Pottawattamie County. The accident happened at around 7:45-a.m. on Interstate 80, about a  mile east of the Minden exit.  The Iowa State Patrol says a bus registered to Global Transportation, L.L.C in Commerce City, CO and driven by 61-year old Bradley Moe, of Rock Valley, Iowa, was traveling  eastbound on the interstate when the right front tire blew out.

When Moe lost control of the bus, the vehicle, carrying 39 high school-aged passengers, flipped onto the driver’s side and slid down an embankment into the south ditch, and came to rest on its side in a field.  All of the passengers, who are members of “The Troopers” – a competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Casper, Wyoming, and en-route to a competition in Indiana, were transported to four hospitals in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.  Each was treated for minor injuries, such as minor bruises and cuts, which required stitches. All have since been released from the hospital.

The bus driver suffered the most serious injuries. He was flown by medical helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center, where he also received treatment and was later released.

Most of traveling musical team was asleep when the accident occurred. After being tossed about as the bus tumbled onto its side, they managed to escape through emergency hatches built into the bus’ roof.  The first emergency crews on the scene reported there were anywhere from 28-to 33 “walking wounded.”

Crews from no fewer than seven area fire and rescue departments along with various ambulance services responded to the crash, which caused eastbound I-80 to be shut down for a little more than two-hours. Other buses carrying corps members continued on to the group’s destination for the night, Greenfield, Iowa.  The Troopers is comprised of performers from across the nation, Canada and Europe, although most members come from the western U.S.