Albany River Rats' Bus Crashes In Massachusetts

Three people were seriously injured when a bus carrying the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League, rolled on its side on Interstate 90 in western Massachusetts early Thursday, state police said.

The bus carrying the hockey team home from a game in Lowell in which the River Rats lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Devils, struck a guard rail and rolled on its side at about 3:35 a.m., Sgt. David Mahan said. Three people were taken to the hospital with what he called "serious" injuries but not life threatening. Names were not released.

According to River Rats head coach Jeff Daniels, the bus rolled after hitting bad weather on a return trip from Lowell. It struck a guardrail, coming to rest on its side and partially on the highway. The discovery of the disabled bus prompted other motorists to stop their vehicles on the highway and then try to slow approaching traffic.

Twenty-nine others on the bus were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

"We were very fortunate and lucky," Daniels said.

The River Rats are schedule to play the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Friday night but it's unclear whether that game is a go or not.

[HT/AP]