The Kansas City soccer community is mourning after a tragic incident at a youth soccer game in Wichita on Saturday afternoon. A woman drove her truck onto a field at the Stryker Sports Complex, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to ten others.
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The victims have been identified as 6-year-old Cole Adrian and 35-year-old Nicholas Schafer, both from McPherson, Kansas. Among the injured, five were children under the age of ten. At the time of the incident, two of the driver’s children were in the truck, while another child was playing soccer on a nearby field.
The driver, who has not been publicly named, was detained and questioned by authorities but has since been released. No charges have been filed as police continue to investigate the situation, and further details have not been disclosed.
Rob Million, president of the Kansas City Surf youth soccer club, which has an affiliate in Wichita, expressed his condolences, noting that one of their players was present at the complex during the crash. He emphasized the importance of safety for families involved in soccer.
Kansas City teams, including the KC Current and Sporting KC, have also shared messages of support for those affected by the tragedy. Additionally, students from four Johnson County high schools, who were at the complex for the Kansas high school girls flag football championship, held a vigil on Sunday night to honor the lives lost. Many attendees were present during the crash.
In response to the incident, the city of Wichita has installed temporary barriers around the sports complex while considering permanent safety measures. The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office is expected to start an initial review of the case later this week.