The female driver died at the scene, police spokesman John White said. This was unexpected behavior; therefore, police are investigating the possibility that the school bus driver might have been experiencing a medical emergency when the crash happened at the Denver International Airport.
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Fifteen students and three staff members were injured, sending 10 of them to hospitals, officials said.
Jeff Tjornehoj, treasurer of the Legacy High School Football Boosters, told NBC affiliate KUSA that the bus was carrying players from Legacy, in Broomfield, north of Denver.
Authorities identified the driver as 43-year-old Kari Chopper.
Investigators want to know why the driver circled back to DIA after picking up the team.
Several of the football players and coaches were seriously injured in the crash.
The Legacy High team had played a game Friday against Chino Hills High School in suburban Los Angeles.
Two other buses picked up Legacy students, too, and continued on to the high school.
Police told reporters the roughly 20 students and adults who had been on the bus were taken to local hospitals to be checked out.
Officials at Denver Health Medical Center they had five patients: two in critical condition, two in serious condition and one fair.
The impact of the crash crushed the front of the school bus where the driver – a woman whose name and age has not been released – was sitting. A crisis team will be at the school Monday to help students.
Legacy High School, in Broomfield, is part of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools district. Three coaches sustained significant injuries and are still hospitalized.
Colorado police blocked the level four ramp while they attempt to uncover what could have caused the fatal bus crash, according to CBS News. The hospital wouldn’t release more details.
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Uninjured students gathered with parents Sunday evening inside the airport, the Post reported.
