While headed to their first game of their season at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on April 6, the girls’ rugby bus was in a head-on collision that resulted in multiple minor injuries.

Superintendent Christine Johnson sent out a One Call email to parents, explaining initial reports at the scene.

“We have been notified by North Reading Transportation, our bus transportation company, that a bus carrying the Girls Algonquin Rugby team was involved in a one car accident while traveling to the scheduled game this afternoon at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School,” Johnson wrote.

According to Johnson’s email, Assistant Principal Mel Laughton reported to the scene immediately after receiving notice of the accident from the bus transportation company.

“Initial information provided by Mr. Laughton is that two coaches and 23 students were traveling on the athletic bus,” Johnson wrote. “Two students were sent to the hospital for further evaluation. Initial reports indicate that the car crossed into the lane hitting the front of the NRT bus.”

According to junior Alyssa Dorsey, many of the girls were asleep before the collision.

“Most of us were sleeping, either [lying] down or against the window,” Dorsey said. “I was laying down on my side sleeping so when we crashed I slammed into the seat in front of me and hurt my shoulder…”

After being evaluated by EMTs on the scene, Dorsey, along with four other girls including a junior and two seniors, went to the hospital to be further examined for any injuries.

All students and personnel involved in the crash were checked by emergency responders. As explained by Dorsey, there were no serious physical injuries, but the team was very alarmed by the accident.

“The whole team is very shaken up and will be sore tomorrow,” Dorsey said. “Initial reactions [were] shocked, confused and scared. Some of us cried because, as I was saying, most of us were sleeping so [the accident] was overwhelming to wake up to.”