CHESTERTOWN, MD—Six members of the Washington College sailing team received minor injuries Sunday when their team van was struck from behind by a tour bus while stopped in congested traffic on I-95 South near Old Lyme, Connecticut. The six were treated at a local hospital and released. 

A total of eight student athletes were riding in a rented van being driven by assistant sailing coach Max Kurland when the accident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. The  team was returning from the Moody Trophy races hosted at the University of Rhode Island. All eight student athletes and their coach spent Sunday night at a family member’s home in Rhode Island and planned to return to campus by end of day Monday.   

Later in the day Sunday, two more crashes occurred on Interstate 95 South closer to Waterford, Connecticut, resulting in serious injuries and one fatality. 

“It was a terrible day on Connecticut’s I-95 South yesterday, and we are feeling fortunate that none of our students was more seriously injured when the bus struck our van—just some bumps and bruises,” said Director of Athletics Bryan Matthews. “Assistant Coach Kurland and the team handled the situation well, and we will be happy to have them all back on campus later today.” 

Photo courtesy of Nancy Krause, WPRI.com