Jackals' team bus crashes

Nov 30, 2007 - 12:21 AM HARBORCREEK, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- A team bus carrying members of the ECHL's Elmira Jackals crashed early Thursday morning.

The Jackals were returning home following a 7-1 loss at Cincinnati when the accident happened at 4:30 a.m. EST on Interstate 90.

The bus struck the back of a tractor trailer and went down an embankment, seriously injuring the bus driver and causing minor injuries to several players.

"We have some minor injuries," Jackals general manager Robbie Nichols told PA SportsTicker. "Those injured will be checked out by team physicians when the team returns home."

The bus driver, Kenneth Nance, was flown to Hamot Medical Center in Erie, where he is in serious condition in the intensive care with injuries to his right leg.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Kenneth Nance," ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna said in a statement. "We feel very fortunate that the players and staff escaped with what appear to be mostly minor injuries."

The Jackals were expected to arrive back in Elmira later Thursday. The team does not play again until Wednesday.