Remembering those lost
It was a quiet day on the Quad Wednesday morning, marking the second day after the fatal accident earlier this week that killed eight Utah State University students and one instructor.
Flowers and posters signed by students sat on 11 tables positioned around a tractor that held flowers in the center of the grassy lawns.
Each poster bore the names of those individuals involved in Monday’s accident.
A box of ribbons next to the tractor continued to empty as students pinned them to their shirts.
“It’s a tragedy. [It shows you how] life can change in an instant,” said USU student Sara Cline.
For many students, the emotion is the same: grief, disbelief and a desire to help the families, to let them know that they are not alone and that the entire campus is mourning and supporting them.
Markers sat by the posters and many students signed their names to show the families and friends of the victims that, although they may not have personally known the students, the families still have their support.
“It’s a [terrible] loss. I didn’t know them, but I’m still praying for them and their families,” said USU student Mike Hutchison. “Nine fatalities are unheard of.”
Students on campus were not the only people affected by the accident. Visitors also felt the effects.
“It’s devastating for the campus, it’s devastating for the students and it’s devastating for the families,” said visitor Cathy Cassrly. “I can feel the sorrow.”
“I can feel the balance between a celebration of their lives [and their deaths],” Cassrly said of Tuesday night’s candlelight vigil.
“I’m more grateful for my life,” Cline said.
The accident occurred Monday around 4:30 p.m, when a group of 10 students from the College of Agriculture and their instructor Evan Parker were returning to Logan on Interstate 84 after an agricultural field trip.
The van’s left rear tire blew out, causing the vehicle to skid out of control and roll several times off the right side of the road, Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Ed Michaud said.
All 11 individuals were ejected from the vehicle. Six were pronounced dead on the scene and two individuals died later that evening.
The remaining two students are in critical condition at Ogden Regional Medical Center and McKay-Dee Hospital.
Those interested in helping the families and friends of the victims can contact the USU Development Office at 797-1158 to donate.
Natalie Brown, a junior majoring in family, consumer and human development and Bruce Richards, a dairy science graduate student, sign posters Wednesday afternoon in the center of the Quad. The posters are for the families of the 11 victimes of a 15-passenger van accidents on Monday afternoon. (Amy Fuller)