A terrifying scene unfolded Sunday when the bus transporting the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team caught fire en route back to campus.
No members of the program suffered any injuries, per the school.
The X account of “The College Experience” podcast reported that all of the team’s gear burned while some individuals lost their wallets and phones.
“On the return drive from today’s game against Northern Kentucky, the bus carrying the IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team experienced a mechanical issue, that caused a fire around Kent, Indiana,” the team’s athletic department tweeted at 6:22 p.m. ET on Sunday night.
“All members of the team and staff evacuated the bus without injury. Another bus is en route to pick up the team and deliver them back to Indianapolis.”
One photo circulating on social media showed the team’s bus completely charred on the side of the road, with the windows completely blown out and the undercarriage open and damaged.
Another captured the bus engulfed in smoke while two individuals — one seemingly wearing team gear — walked away from it as another individual looked on.
One car and a tractor-trailer could be seen in the background approaching.
Earlier in the day, the IU Indianapolis Jaguars lost to Northern Kentucky, 71-67, to fall to 9-20 and 5-13 in Horizon League play. IU Indianapolis has now lost four of five and six of eight.
The bus trip from Northern Kentucky’s Highland Heights, Ky., campus to IU Indianapolis’ campus is roughly 120 miles, according to Google Maps.
Kent, Ind., is approximately 90 minutes away from Indianapolis.
An IU Indianapolis staffer told WLWT in Cincinnati that the bus experienced a mechanical issue in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and the team made it back home before 9 p.m. ET.
The Jaguars return to the court Thursday when they host conference-leading Robert Morris (22-8, 14-5 Horizon) at 6:30 p.m. ET.
