UT student and Foam Sword Friday participant Nick Engmann was hit by a Capital Metro Bus around 1 p.m. on Friday as he dashed into the street between The University of Texas Co-op and Six Pack.

Chants of “Texas Fight” and “OU sucks” built excitement as the warriors waited. Adrenaline built as an explosion of energy and passion was released in anticipation for the next foam on foam sword match to begin. Instead of all students racing into the heat of battle this time, however, a loan soldier stepped out. The impact sent shock through the crowd.

“I think it’s partially both of their faults,” UT student Kelsey Morace said. “He should have been looking and the bus driver, I mean we obviously don’t know what he was doing on his bus, and he hit somebody. I mean that’s kind of scary, especially because it’s public transportation and UT students ride that bus.”

The Capital Metro bus driver has received a citation for running a red light, reported YNN. Emergency officials arrived around 1 p.m. to tend to Engmann who was taken to St. David’s Hospital. Engmann was released soon after with minor injuries.
Around 4 p.m. Engmann posted on his Facebook:

Thanks everyone for all the well wishes! I’m fine, headed back to campus ON A BUS atm :)

James Spence, organizer for the event, said Foam Sword Friday began about eight years ago as a stress reliever for the school of Architecture. As the innovators neared graduation, Spence and student council representatives revitalized the event and added student funding to it. The foam swords, which had originally been bought by participants at Wal-Mart, are now provided at the event.

“The grad students started it to blow off some steam,” Spence said. “I decided to keep the tradition alive and keep it going.”