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.
A Celebration of Life service for 19-year-old Anabel Reid will be held Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas.
She died Friday of injuries from the one-vehicle bus accident that sent 16 people from ACU to area hospitals. As of Saturday evening, seven remained hospitalized, three in critical condition.
Students, faculty, staff and friends are invited to attend the Nine O’Clock devotional in the auditorium of University Church of Christ on Sunday, Nov. 6.
The traditional 9 p.m. gathering is a time of praise and prayer that this week will be devoted to friends and families of those injured in Friday afternoon’s bus accident.
Monday morning’s Chapel at 11 a.m. in Moody Coliseum also will be a time of reflection and worship. The 30-minute event is open to anyone who wishes to support the ACU community.
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:
Members of the ACU community participated in a candlelight prayer service in the Beauchamp Amphitheater (Photo by Garrett Hoskins)
Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and friends filled ACU’s Beauchamp Amphitheater tonight in an outpouring of love for victims of the bus accident earlier today that took the life of one student and left others with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Hugs and tears were shared throughout the hour-long candlelight prayer service led by Dr. Mark Hamilton, associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology.
Hamilton quoted Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.”
“This is not a night for explaining things, but it is a night to remember things,” he said. “God weeps with us more than we know, and God will have to straighten this out.”
Amanda Wilson from Walsenburg, Colo., one of the passengers who suffered minor injuries, came straight from Hendrick Medical Center to attend the service. “You are all such an amazing community. Your prayers and your support are so important to everybody involved in this,” she told the gathering.
After singing and a time of prayer, Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for student life and dean of students, gave updates on the conditions of those involved in the accident and said the ACU family will continue to find ways to support and encourage the families affected by the tragedy throughout the coming days.
See emergency.acu.edu for the latest information.
The hour-long service helped bring the campus together on a chilly Friday night. (Photo by Garrett Hoskins)
Hundreds of students attended the service to participate in praise and prayer. (Photo by Hannah Vickers)
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.
The following students and faculty from ACU’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences were passengers in the bus that crashed this afternoon near Paint Rock, Texas:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Annabel Reid, who died in the crash.
Kathleen Henderson, Jason Iris, Dr. Michael Nicodemus, Haley Wilkerson and Amanda Wilson have been released from the hospital.
We will provide additional information on the others as it is available.
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:
“My thoughts and prayers – and those of our entire ACU community – are with all those who’ve been injured, all the family members who are hurting tonight, and all our faculty, staff and students. I can tell you from what I’m seeing here that the doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to help at this hour. We know God listens, so please continue to pray.”
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.
