May 18, 2025 | By Lauren Michaels | National News Service
Denver, CO — In what is being called one of the deadliest road accidents in recent state history, a bus carrying members of the New York City Hockey Club’s 10 AAA team was involved in a catastrophic crash Saturday afternoon on Colorado’s Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. Authorities have confirmed 17 fatalities and 24 injuries following the accident, which occurred on a notoriously treacherous stretch of the highest paved road in North America.
Emergency responders received distress calls just after 2:12 p.m. local time, when the team’s charter bus, en route to a sightseeing trip following a weekend tournament in Denver, lost control near mile marker 14—just below Summit Lake at 12,800 feet elevation.
The vehicle, which was descending after reaching the summit, reportedly veered off the road during a sharp turn and tumbled nearly 300 feet down a rocky embankment. Several passengers were ejected from the bus, while others remained trapped inside the wreckage for nearly two hours.
A Devastating Loss
Among the deceased are eight youth players, three coaches, two parent chaperones, and four support staff, according to a preliminary statement from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. Their identities have not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Sheriff Daniel Cross. “These children were here to celebrate their season and see a part of the country they’d never experienced. In moments, everything changed.”
The team had just wrapped up the Rocky Mountain Youth Invitational, where they had reached the semifinals. The players, ranging from 9 to 10 years old, were scheduled to return to New York Sunday evening after the sightseeing tour.
Weather and Terrain a Factor
Though the skies were clear at the time of the accident, officials noted that spring conditions on Mount Blue Sky can be deceptively hazardous. Snowmelt and thin air at high elevations often make road surfaces slick and reduce braking power, especially for heavy vehicles like charter buses.
Preliminary findings suggest brake failure or driver fatigue may have contributed to the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a team of investigators to examine the mechanical systems of the vehicle, road conditions, and the driver’s actions.
The driver of the bus, a 52-year-old Colorado resident with a clean commercial driving record, survived the crash and is being treated for multiple fractures at Saint Anthony Hospital in Lakewood. Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports but do not currently suspect intoxication.
Survivors in Shock
Of the 24 individuals injured, at least six are reported to be in critical condition. Survivors were airlifted to nearby hospitals, including Children’s Hospital Colorado and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital.
Dr. Aisha Patel, a trauma surgeon at UCHealth, said that among the injured are five children suffering from spinal injuries, internal bleeding, and compound fractures. She called the injuries “consistent with a high-speed rollover at extreme elevation.”
Psychological support teams have been dispatched to all medical centers receiving victims. “These kids have lost teammates, friends, and mentors,” Dr. Patel said. “This is not just physical trauma—it’s emotional devastation.”
National Outpouring of Grief
News of the tragedy spread quickly, with condolences pouring in from across the country. The New York Rangers, the NHL affiliate closest to the NYC Hockey Club, posted a statement expressing “deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of the young athletes.”
Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, and the NHLPA also issued tributes, with players and teams observing moments of silence during Saturday night games.
On Sunday morning, a makeshift memorial began forming outside the team’s home rink in Queens, where community members placed sticks, jerseys, flowers, and handwritten notes honoring the young players.
One note read, “Rest easy, little champions. You will always be part of our team.”
Investigations Underway
Governor Jared Polis called the accident “an unspeakable tragedy” and has promised full state cooperation in the investigation. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) also confirmed that the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, while scenic and popular with tourists, has a history of accidents—especially involving large vehicles unaccustomed to high-altitude conditions.
CDOT officials confirmed the stretch of road where the accident occurred was not closed or under construction at the time, though warning signs about steep grades and brake checks are prominently displayed before the descent.
A full investigation is expected to take several weeks, with the NTSB, the Colorado State Patrol, and federal safety agencies all participating.
Grief and Questions
As families and the nation mourn, the focus now turns to healing and accountability.
“Our children’s lives are sacred,” said Angela Rodriguez, mother of one of the surviving players. “They were supposed to see the mountains, take pictures, and laugh. Now we’re planning funerals.”
Parents and community leaders have already begun demanding answers about the team’s travel arrangements, including why such a dangerous route was chosen for a youth excursion and whether safety inspections were conducted on the bus prior to departure.
In response, the New York City Hockey Club released a brief statement:
“We are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. Our hearts go out to every family affected. We are cooperating fully with investigators and will provide support to all members of our community.”
Grief counselors have been made available at schools attended by the young athletes. The NYC Department of Education has also announced a citywide moment of silence scheduled for Monday morning.
A Nation in Mourning
This tragedy joins a heartbreaking list of fatal youth sports team accidents across North America and has once again raised urgent questions about transportation safety, especially for travel to remote or mountainous locations.
As the sun set over Mount Blue Sky, rescue crews continued to clear debris from the crash site. American and Canadian flags lowered to half-staff across hockey arenas on both sides of the border.
And in homes across the country, sticks were left outside front doors—a quiet, sorrowful tribute to those whose dreams were cut short far too soon.
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