This site has been developed to provide the latest news regarding the bus accident that affected the ACU community. In addition, you can find ways to provide help, support, and encouragement.
In tough times, “Christians have an important opportunity to share what they have with those who have not,” writes Doug Mendenhall (’82) in his most recent Soul Food column in the Huntsville (Ala.) Times newspaper. Mendenhall is instructor and journalist-in-residence in ACU’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. His insights may provide inspiration for you today.
A live audiocast of Anabel Reid’s “A Celebration of Life” memorial service is being provided by Acapella Radio.
Listen live at 5:30 p.m. (CST): http://bit.ly/v76wx1
A full video replay of the memorial service will be posted later this evening. You’ll find the video on this blog as soon as it becomes available.
Earlier today, sophomore Anna Watson was released from Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.
Six people are still hospitalized with injuries from last Friday’s bus accident. Three of them remain in critical condition.
Abilene Christian University is providing free transportation today for those who wish to attend tonight’s “A Celebration of Life” memorial service in Lubbock for Anabel Reid.
Two charter buses – one for students and faculty from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and a second for other friends – will leave campus at 1:30 p.m. today. Anyone is welcome to ride on the bus with priority reserved for current students, faculty and staff.
The memorial service begins at 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock. Afterward, the church will provide dinner for the ACU guests before they return to Abilene.
Passengers can board the charter buses in front of the Zona Luce Building on Campus Court. Seating on the second bus is first-come, first-served and open to all.
ACU will provide a live audiocast of the service at 5:30 p.m. in the McCaleb Conference Center of the Hunter Welcome Center. Later tonight, a video replay will be available on this blog.
For those who cannot be in Lubbock today to attend the memorial service honoring Anabel Reid, a live audiocast will be made available to members of the ACU family.
“A Celebration of Life” for Anabel will begin at 5:30 p.m. today in the McCaleb Conference Center of the Hunter Welcome Center, the same time the service begins in Lubbock at Broadway Church of Christ.
Later tonight, a video replay will be available on this blog.
In response to the outpouring of help from friends of ACU, the university issued the following statement today:
On Nov. 4, 2011, at approximately 3:20 p.m., the ACU family suffered a tremendous accidental loss. At that time, a bus driven by Michael W. Nicodemus lost control, skidded off the highway into a ditch and hit a culvert. Sophomore Anabel Reid lost her life; a number of others were injured; and the entire ACU family was forever scarred.
Our focus continues to be on meeting the needs of those who are suffering as a result of these events. In that regard, the Reid family has graciously extended an invitation for all those who are interested to join with them in two upcoming services to honor the memory of Anabel.
In celebrating this amazing young woman’s life, we remember the heroic efforts of those who kept this tragedy from growing in scope. We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders and members of the law enforcement community who rushed to aid those involved. Further, we must recognize the invaluable aid provided by members of the Winters High School football team that came upon the scene in the minutes immediately after the crash. The coaches and trainers placed the needs of those involved above their own, and for that they have our heartfelt gratitude.
We support the Department of Public Safety and members of its team who have worked tirelessly in recent days. We understand their work is ongoing and could take many months until completion.
The university extends its gratitude to the many individuals who have reached out to contribute their time, talents, prayers and other resources. The entire ACU community remains devoted to helping the members of our family and their loved ones who are hurting. We have taken only the first steps down what will surely be a long road. We appreciate the community’s compassionate response to date, and we ask that care and concern continue to be extended to those who have suffered loss.
Even if you can’t be present in Abilene, you can watch live the devotional services being held tonight and Monday for the ACU family.
At 9 p.m. tonight, watch a livestream of Nine O’Clock, the time of praise and fellowship ACU students attend each Sunday night of the school year in the auditorium of University Church of Christ. You can view tonight’s service at uccabilene.org/ucc-live.
At 11 a.m. Monday, daily Chapel in Moody Coliseum will be livestreamed at acu.edu/live.
The Abilene community has been invited to join ACU students, staff and faculty at both devotionals.
Three of the injured passengers from Friday afternoon’s bus accident were released from hospitals today: Dr. Jim Cooke of Abilene and students Kathleen Henderson and Kendra Unamba. Cooke is professor of environmental science. Henderson is a junior from Rockport, Texas, and Unamba is a sophomore from Midlothian, Texas.
Seven remain hospitalized, three in critical condition. They are in hospitals in Dallas, Abilene and San Angelo.
Please check back often for updates and additional information.
After spending time with students, faculty and families at an Abilene hospital this morning, Abilene Christian University president Dr. Phil Schubert prepared this message of gratitude for the many kinds of support offered to the ACU community from people around the world:
Abilene Christian University president Dr. Phil Schubert was back at Hendrick Medical Center early this morning to visit with each of those hospitalized after yesterday’s bus accident near Paint Rock, Texas. He was joined by other ACU officials, faculty and staff who are helping family members of the injured.
One of the 10 patients receiving treatment in hospitals in Abilene, San Angelo and Dallas is expected to be released today.
As previously reported, five patients were released last night. One other, sophomore Anabel Reid of Petersburg, Texas, died of her injuries. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Please check back often for updates and additional information.
