WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-UPDATE: 2 killed in Minnesota tour bus crash identified, 1 in serious condition

UPDATE: 2 killed in Minnesota tour bus crash identified, 1 in serious condition

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Authorities say one passenger is hospitalized in serious condition after a tour bus crash in southern Minnesota killed two people and injured 20.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 10 passengers are hospitalized in fair condition, eight were treated and released, and one showed no apparent injuries after the crash Wednesday.

The State Patrol identifies the two people killed as 56-year-old Pamela S. Holmquist of Kasson and 52-year-old Rhonda R. Hill of Plainview.

The patrol says the bus driver, 52-year-old Ed Erickson of Elgin, also is hospitalized. But no information about Erickson's condition is being released at his request.

The bus company's owner says Erickson suffered a ruptured aneurysm right before the bus veered off Interstate 90 and crashed near Austin.

State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer would not discuss the driver's medical condition or history.

Previous Story - Updated November 19, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.
2 killed in Minnesota tour bus crash identified

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The two people killed in a Minnesota tour bus crash are being identified as two women from the southeastern corner of the state.

The Post-Bulletin of Rochester identified them as 56-year-old Pamela S. Holmquist of Kasson and 52-year-old Rhonda R. Hill of Plainview.

The newspaper cited death notices received Thursday that say the women died in the Wednesday afternoon bus crash near Austin that also injured 21.

The State Patrol won't confirm the names, but plans to release its own list of victims later Thursday.

Tour bus company spokesman Randy Lavoie tells the Post-Bulletin that the bus driver suffered an aneurysm in his chest and lost consciousness shortly before the crash.

Previous Story - Updated November 18, 2009 at 10:53 p.m.
Two dead, 21 injured in tour bus crash near Austin, Minnesota

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) -- A state official says two people are dead and 21 injured after a tour bus ran off a southern Minnesota interstate and rolled over in a ditch.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesman Andy Skoogman confirms the deaths from the crash that happened about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 90 west of Austin.

Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jackie Sticha says the bus operated by Strain Bus Line Motorcoach Tours in Rochester was eastbound about 3:20 p.m. when it crossed into westbound lanes then crashed.

Strain Bus Line operates a bus every Wednesday from Rochester to Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa.

Northwood is about 30 miles southwest of Austin. The accident happened about 2 miles west of the city. The patrol said the road was clear and dry.