14 injured in van crash near Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – A van full of cheerleaders flipped on Interstate 275 near Tampa, causing injuries to at least 13 teens, mostly girls, and an adult driver.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the van blew a rear tire Sunday afternoon, swerved into a concrete retaining wall and flipped over. Eight ambulances and other emergency crews responded.
FHP says none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, but officials wouldn’t be sure until the injuries were checked at a hospital.
About half of those injured were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital and the others were taken to Tampa General Hospital.
The cheerleaders, part of the Childs Park football organization, had just finished second in a Lakeland competition.