Bus crash: Company says driver had aneurysm; investigation could take weeks

AUSTIN, Minn. -- The driver of a tour bus that crashed near Austin Wednesday suffered a ruptured aneurysm, the owner of the bus company told some media outlets.  But state investigators says it's too early to know what caused the crash, which killed two people and injured nearly 20.

Capt. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol says investigators are aware of the bus company's statements, but says "the State Patrol would much prefer to hear those accounts directly from medical professionals."  Langer says the driver's medical condition is just one of many things authorities will examine, along with the condition of the bus.  The investigation could take several weeks.

The bus driver, 52-year-old Ed Erickson, of Elgin, remains hospitalized, authorities say.  No information about his condition was being released Wednesday.  Erickson had a valid commercial license to operate the passenger bus, Langer says.

At least 13 bus passengers have already been treated and released following the crash.  Two victims -- Helen Eubank and Prem Deep -- remain in critical condition at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

"It could've been so much worse," says Michelle Nelson, a Gold Cross paramedic who arrived on the scene by helicopter about 20 minutes after the crash.  "Coming into the scene, it was quite chaotic."

The bus, operated by Strain Bus Line, was on its way back from a casino in Iowa when it crossed the median on Interstate 90, flipped over and landed on its side in a ditch.

All but one of the 22 passengers were injured, including Mary and Earl Kesler.  Eight members of their family were on the bus.  They all survived.

"We really dodged a bullet," Mary Kesler said.  "We're really blessed."

In a strange twist of fate, the two youngest passengers died:  Pamela Holmquist, 56, of Kasson , and Rhonda R. Hill, 52, of Plainview.

"She was a good mom," said Levi Hill, Rhonda's son.  "She did everything for us.  She has always been there for me.  Can't imagine life without her."

Bold Lines Inc., which does business under the Strain Bus Line name, is a small operator with six drivers and bus buses.   The Associated Press says it has had no accidents in the past two years, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website.  The AP also reports that three of the company's past five vehicle inspections have resulted in a bus being taken out of service for repairs -- a much higher rate than the national average.

Check out our KARE family of Web sites:
	takeKARE		Metromix
	Moms Like Me		Minnesota Bound
	Showcase Minnesota