Two killed in crash with Adkins tour bus

BOSSIER CITY, La., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Two people were killed Saturday when the pickup truck in which they were riding collided head-on with country singer Trace Adkins' tour bus, police said.

The pickup had been swerving before it crossed the center line on U.S. 71, in Caddo Parrish, La., and crashed into the band bus at about 9:30 a.m. EST, Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator told KTBS-TV, Shreveport, La.

Five members of Adkins' band were injured, none seriously, a publicist for the singer said in a news release. They were taken by ambulance to a hospital.

The band was en route to Bossier City, La., for a concert. Adkins was already in Bossier City when he learned of the crash and went to the scene of the collision in a van to pick up the uninjured members of the band, the release said.

"(Adkins) was extremely concerned, as you might expect," Prator said. "He was comforting the band members. He helped them load their luggage and then headed to the hospital."

"This is a real tragedy," Adkins said. "Two people have been killed and I don't even know their names. So out of respect for their families, I prefer not to comment too much at this time."

Plans called for Adkins, a native of Sarepta, La., to perform a scaled-down acoustic set Saturday at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, where Martina McBride was also on the bill.

Adkins will not perform Sunday at a scheduled concert in Pensacola, Fla., but McBride and Sarah Buxton will go on as scheduled, the statement said.