ANDREWS COUNTY, TX. (THECOUNT) — A van carrying members of the University of the Southwest golf team were involved in a major fatality crash in Texas on Tuesday night. At least 7 members of the team, including the coach, were killed.
The van crash occurred in Andrews County, Texas, as the team traveled home after competing in Texas.
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According to reports, the van was carrying members of both the men’s and women’s golf teams, when the vehicle came into contact with a Ford F-150 pickup truck Tuesday night.
Two students were airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Officials have not announced any additional details surrounding the crash, reports TMZ.
Sgt. Steven Blanco of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to KWES-TV there were fatalities in both vehicles, but the total number of deaths hadn’t been confirmed at the time of his comments.
University president Quint Thurman released a statement on the tragedy … saying, “We are still learning the details about the accident, but we are devastated and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of our students’ lives and their coach.”
Tyler James, who was in his first year as H.C. of the men’s and women’s team, passed away.
USW’s Athletic Director, Steve Appel, tells TMZ Sports there were nine passengers in the van at the time of the accident.
“The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we mourn the loss of members of our university family,” Appel said. “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.”
“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.”
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Geo quick facts: Andrews County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. It is in West Texas and its county seat is Andrews. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,610. The Andrews Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Andrews County. Andrews county was created August 21, 1876, from Tom Green County and organized in 1910 – Wikipedia.