Carmen Foster's Archive

The following statement was texted from Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for student life and dean of students, who is at a local hospital with other university officials assisting families of students and faculty:

“We just had difficult and precious moments with the family of sophomore Anabel Reid, who has passed away. We just left a similar time of prayer and grieving with close to 60 students, faculty and staff who’ve joined us at Hendrick Medical Center (in Abilene). Now we’re preparing for the prayer service on campus at 9 p.m. We want to continue to be there for those who are remembering Anabel and who are concerned for their injured friends. We’re just trying to get through the shock.”

From Dr. Schubert via text:

The following information was in a news release from senior trooper Sparky Dean of the Texas Department of Public Safety:

One person has died in a single-vehicle bus crash. This crash occurred about 3:20 p.m. on U.S. Highway 83 at the intersection of County Road 234 in Runnels County.

The bus had been traveling south on U.S. 83 and left the roadway at County Road 234. As the driver was approaching a slight curve in the roadway, he lost control and the bus struck a concrete culvert and overturned one time. Several of the occupants were ejected from the bus.

The vehicle involved registered to Abilene Christian University. It is a 2009 Ford E450 SuperDuty Aerotech Bus equipped for 24 passengers and a driver.

Sixteen occupants were on the bus which was en route to Medina Children’s Home in Medina, Texas, for the weekend for mission work. A complete list of the 16 occupants will be released shortly.

Members of the media should call Grant Rampy, Director of Public Relations, at 325-674-2692.

Concerned parents of current students can call Tina Fleet of ACU Student Services at 325-674-6802.

Current students should check the emergency.acu.edu blog.

Students living in residence halls should talk with their residence director.

The following information was presented by ACU Police chief Jimmy Ellison at 6 p.m. tonight in a press briefing on the university campus:

At approximately 3:30 p.m. today on County Road 234 between Ballinger and Paint Rock, there appears to have been a one-vehicle accident. An ACU-owned and operated bus left the roadway and rolled, striking a ditch and a culvert. The force of the accident sheered the top of the bus off, ejecting passengers. We have confirmed a total of 16 ACU-affiliated passengers (faculty, staff, students, and the spouse of a faculty member) who would have been on their way to a children’s home in Medina to participate in an annual service project.

There is much we don’t know. The accident is being investigated by Texas Highway Patrol. We do know there is one confirmed fatality; a number of other passengers are being treated for critical injuries.  Those individuals are being cared for at four area hospitals. Top members of Abilene Christian University’s administration, including president Phil Schubert, are with the loved ones of those affected, working to make sure they have all the assistance our community can provide. Our students are assembling at 9 p.m. in the Beauchamp Amphitheater on our campus for a vigil as the entire ACU family lifts up the injured and their families in prayer.

A prayer service has been scheduled for 9 p.m. in the Beauchamp Amphitheater at ACU (at the base of the Tower of Light, west of the Chapel on the Hill). Everyone is welcome.

We are still waiting on information from ACU representatives who are on site.

This page is being updated regularly by ACU’s Office of Public Relations. Please check back often for updates and additional information.

ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert and university staff are headed to the hospitals where passengers were transported, and should have information soon.

ACU Police chief Jimmy Ellison is going to brief the local media at 6 p.m. CST. His information also will be posted on this blog.

This page is being updated regularly by ACU’s Office of Public Relations. Please check back often for updates and additional information.

An Abilene Christian University bus overturned this afternoon near Paint Rock, Texas. Twelve students, three faculty members and the spouse of one faculty member were passengers, representing the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Please keep them in your prayers. We are confirming information with officials on site and will share it with you as we learn it.