A terrifying incident occurred when a charter bus carrying the IU Indy men’s basketball team caught fire after a mechanical issue while returning from a road game against Northern Kentucky.
The bus, traveling through Kent, Indiana—over 90 miles south of Indianapolis—was suddenly engulfed in flames.
The incident unfolded shortly after the bus driver and an IU Indy coach noticed a mechanical malfunction.
As they investigated the issue, flames erupted, leading to an emergency evacuation of everyone on board.
Quick Thinking Saves Lives as Flames Quickly Spread
Thankfully, the entire team and coaching staff managed to evacuate the bus just moments before the flames reached the area where they had been sitting.
After evacuating, the group moved about a mile down the road, and shortly afterward, the bus exploded.
The explosion resulted in a total loss of around $20,000 worth of team gear and personal items, including phones, wallets, team shoes, jerseys, and coaching equipment like clipboards.
No Injuries Reported as Team Escapes Blaze
Despite the severity of the fire, no one on the bus was injured.
The prompt evacuation undoubtedly prevented what could have been a far worse outcome.
The IU Indy athletics department confirmed the incident in a statement, emphasizing that everyone made it off the bus safely.
A second bus was immediately dispatched from a nearby school district to transport the team back to Indianapolis.
Tragic Losses Amidst the Fire and Basketball Defeat
The fire came on the heels of a tough loss for the Jaguars, who had just been defeated 71-67 by Northern Kentucky in Horizon League play.
With this loss, the team’s season record dropped to 9-20. The Jaguars are now looking to the Horizon League Tournament as their last chance to extend their season and make a run toward March Madness.
The team has not participated in the NCAA Tournament since 2003 and has not won a regular-season conference title since 2006.
Support for the Team Amid Recovery Efforts
As the team recovers from both the loss on the court and the devastating fire, a link to the Jaguars’ NIL fund has been shared to help with the recovery efforts.
Fans and supporters are encouraged to contribute to help the team bounce back both on and off the court.