Mitchell Willetts
The Charlotte Observer
The University of the Southwest is “shocked” after a fatal bus crash claimed the lives of at least seven students and staff.
After competing in Midland, Texas, members of the university’s golf teams were riding back to their Hobbs, New Mexico, campus at night on Tuesday, March 15.
While on the road, “their bus was struck by oncoming traffic,” the University of the Southwest said on March 16.
According to news outlets, a pickup truck collided head-on with the vehicle transporting the golf teams on FM 1788, east of Andrews. One or more people inside the truck also were killed.
Andrews is roughly 40 miles northwest of Midland.
“Nine passengers, including the coach, were on the university bus involved in the fatal accident,” the university said. “While the accident investigation is still underway, reports indicate that seven passengers aboard the bus were killed in the crash.”
Two passengers were in critical condition at a hospital in Lubbock as of March 16.
“The USW campus community is shocked and saddened today as we mourn the loss of members of our university family.”
#UPDATE: from @AlexCammarata_ and @Cory_Mose on scene. They tell us the crash was a head-on collision between a 17-passenger van and a Fire F150 truck.
— Tatum Guinn (@tatumguinn) March 16, 2022
There are multiple fatalities, however due to the nature of the crash, DPS cannot say how many at this time. pic.twitter.com/VnEWiH5uKy
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