Coach and six University of the Southwest golfers identified as victims in crash that killed nine
Two students survived the crash and are in the hospital in critical condition
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A bus crash in Texas left two people in critical condition and another nine dead, including players and a coach from the University of the Southwest's golf teams.
Tyler James, the both teams' head coach, was just about to begin his first season on the job before he was killed in the bus crash.
Both the men and women's college golf teams were on the bus and returning from competitions at Midland College when the crash occurred on Tuesday. The bus had left Texas and was returning to the school's campus in Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to the university, there were nine people aboard the bus when it crashed into a Ford pickup truck that had crossed the centre line.
Both the driver and the passenger in the pickup truck reportedly were killed in the crash.
Two students survived the crash and were life-flighted from the scene. The injured were taken to Lubbock, Texas, for medical treatments, and are in critical condition.
The school issued a statement on social media saying it was in the process of contacting the family members of those who died in the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it sent a team to investigating the accident.
University of the Southwest releases a statement
The University of the Southwest released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the crash and expressing its sadness for the lost and their families. The statement says the following:
“The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we mourn the loss of members of our university family. Last night, the men’s and women’s golf teams were traveling back to campus from competition in Midland, Texas, when their bus was struck by oncoming traffic. Nine passengers, including the coach, were on the university bus involved in the fatal accident.”
“While the accident investigation is still underway, reports indicate that seven passengers aboard the bus were killed in the crash. Two of the passengers are in critical condition undergoing medical treatment in Lubbock, Texas. USW is coordinating with Texas DPS to assist with the investigation and public information efforts. University administration is communicating with families of the students and coaching staff to provide more information as it becomes available.” “USW counseling staff and the worship team will be available on campus today to provide support for students, faculty, and staff. Please keep the families of students, coaching staff, and the USW community in your prayers as we come together to support one another during this difficult time.”
Welcome to the Liveblog
Welcome to The Independent’s ongoing coverage of a fatal crash involving the college golf teams from the University of the Southwest in New Mexico.
Seven people from the school’s men and women’s golf team were killed when the bus and a Ford pickup truck were involved in a head-on collision. Two of the individuals injured - both students - are in critical condition.
The crash occurred while the team was returning to New Mexico from Texas.
University of the Southwest head coach among those killed in the crash
Tyler James, the head coach for the University of the Southwest men and women’s golf teams, was identified as one of the individuals killed in a crash that left six others dead and another two in critical condition.
Mr James was entering his first season as head coach when the accident occurred.
University of the Southwest releases a statement
The University of the Southwest released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the crash and expressing its sadness for the lost and their families. The statement says the following:
“The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we mourn the loss of members of our university family. Last night, the men’s and women’s golf teams were traveling back to campus from competition in Midland, Texas, when their bus was struck by oncoming traffic. Nine passengers, including the coach, were on the university bus involved in the fatal accident.”
“While the accident investigation is still underway, reports indicate that seven passengers aboard the bus were killed in the crash. Two of the passengers are in critical condition undergoing medical treatment in Lubbock, Texas. USW is coordinating with Texas DPS to assist with the investigation and public information efforts. University administration is communicating with families of the students and coaching staff to provide more information as it becomes available.” “USW counseling staff and the worship team will be available on campus today to provide support for students, faculty, and staff. Please keep the families of students, coaching staff, and the USW community in your prayers as we come together to support one another during this difficult time.”
Two surviving students airlifted to Lubbock hospital
According to Quint Thurman, the president of the University of the Southwest, two of the students involved in the crash had to be evacuated from the scene by helicopter due to the severity of their injuries.
Those students are currently in critical condition and are being treated at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas.
Pickup truck driver and passenger also killed in the accident
The pickup truck driver involved in a head-on collision with a bus belonging to the University of the Southwest’s golf teams was killed in the accident, authorities said.
A passenger riding in the truck was reportedly also killed as a result of the crash, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The pair’s identities have not yet been released.
New Mexico’s governor issues statement
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham shared a post on Twitter acknowledging the University of the Southwest bus crash and expressing sympathy for the dead and their families. “I am deeply saddened by news of a fatal crash involving students and staff from the University of the Southwest in Hobbs,” she wrote on Twitter. “This is a terrible, tragic accident. As we await additional information from authorities, my prayers are with the loved ones of all those involved.”
Details emerge about the cause of the crash
According to police in Texas, the crash that left nine people dead, including six University of the Southwest collegiate golfers and their coach, occurred after a pickup truck driving the opposite direction crossed the center line, and collided with the bud head-on.
Both the driver and the passenger of the truck were killed in the crash.
Two students were life-flighted to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas and remain in critical condition.
Midland College flies flags at half mast to honour University of the Southwest students killed in crash
Midland College lowered its flags to half mast on Wednesday to honour the six University of the Southwest collegiate golfers and one faculty member killed in a crash on their way home from Texas to New Mexico.
The University of the Southwest golfers were competing at Midland College in the days before the accident. They were returning from Midland College when a truck drifted across the centre line and struck the team’s bus head-on.
“We were all shocked to learn of this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with USW as they grieve this terrible loss,” Midland College Athletic Director Forrest Allen said.
National Transportation Safety Board to investigate crash that killed collegiate golfers in Texas
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Wednesday it has sent a “go-team” to Andrews, Texas to investigate the fatal bus crash that killed nine people, including six University of the Southwest collegiate golfers and their head coach.
The agency announced their investigation on Twitter.
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