The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Junior Volleyball team avoided serious injury overnight Australian time after their team bus caught fire in Sweden.

The 12-member team, one week into a three-week European tour, was travelling from Gothenburg Airport to the town of Falkoping when a fire broke out under the bus at approximately 4pm local time.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

All athletes, aged 15 to 20, and four staff exited the bus without major injury, however all the team’s belongings were destroyed.
Two athletes received medical treatment for grazes and bruises sustained escaping the bus, however both are expected to make a full recovery and continue the tour.

AIS Acting Director Phil Borgeaud praised the team for its quick thinking.

‘All our athletes and staff receive detailed training about how to respond to these kinds of incidents,’ Mr Borgeaud said.

‘The team handled the circumstances superbly and we are relieved they evacuated the bus without any major injuries.

‘The local volleyball community in Sweden has already rallied to assist by donating competition clothing and equipment so that the team can continue their playing engagements.

‘Together with Volleyball Australia, the AIS is monitoring the situation and will conduct an evaluation in the coming days consistent with critical response procedures.’

The team’s three-week European tour to Italy, Sweden and Slovakia involves the 2008 Australian Volleyball League champions playing matches against club and representative teams from across Europe.

On the court, the tour has been successful with the team winning its first two matches on the Italian leg against Lugano (3 sets to 2) and Montichiari (3-0). There are four matches in Sweden, before continuing onto Slovakia for five more.