Tour Bus Heading to Iowa Crashes Off Minn. Interstate, Two Dead

Rescuers work at the scene of a bus accident Wednesday afternoon Nov. 18, 2009 in Freeborn County on Interstate 90 west of Austin, Minn. A tour bus, operated by Strain Bus Line Motorcoach Tours in Rochester, ran off a southern Minnesota interstate and rolled over in a ditch Wednesday. A state official said fatalities were reported but the number of people killed was not immediately known. (AP Photo by Kevin Hanson, Post-Bulletin)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 18, 2009 at 6:21 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 6:21 PM CST

AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) - A state official says two people are dead and 21 injured after a tour bus ran off a southern Minnesota interstate and rolled over in a ditch.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesman Andy Skoogman confirms the deaths from the crash that happened about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 90 west of Austin.

Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jackie Sticha says the bus operated by Strain Bus Line Motorcoach Tours in Rochester was eastbound about 3:20 p.m. when it crossed into westbound lanes then crashed.

Strain Bus Line operates a bus every Wednesday from Rochester to Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa.

Northwood is about 30 miles southwest of Austin. The accident happened about two miles west of the city. The patrol said the road was clear and dry.

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