UCI team involved in van crash

June Casagrande

Six UC Irvine men’s soccer players were taken to the hospital with

minor injuries on Saturday morning after a van carrying team members

to a Riverside game tipped onto its side on the 73 Freeway connector

to the 55 northbound. The accident occurred at about 10:25 a.m. when

the van collided with another vehicle on the ramp to the 55

northbound, officials said. The California Highway Patrol is

investigating the incident.

It is not known exactly how many people were aboard the

15-passenger van, but it was one of two carrying a total of about 22

people to the game against UC Riverside.

“Our understanding is that many of [the players in the accident]

were not wearing seat belts,” said Capt. Randy Croll of the Costa

Mesa Fire Department, which was one of the agencies that responded to

the scene. “The nonuse of seat belts for many of them may have

contributed to some of their injuries.”

The injured players were taken to several area hospitals for

treatment.

“Our primary concern is with the well-being of the players and

their respective recoveries,” UCI Senior Associate Athletic Director

Petrina Long said in a statement. “We are grateful for the quick

actions of the coaches, team mates, medical personnel and

law-enforcement officials who responded immediately to the accident

scene.”

UCI spokesman Bob Long said that a make-up game will be scheduled

after officials from the schools and the Big West Conference can find

an acceptable date.