UPDATE: Childhood Coaches Mourn Swimmers After Crash
Two young men and one young woman have been identified as the three members of the University of Wyoming swimming and diving team killed Thursday in a one-vehicle crash on Highway 287.
The three died near the intersection of Highway 287 and Red Mountain Road, about 10 miles south of the Colorado-Wyoming border, according to an earlier statement by UW.
Noting the students’ next-of-kin have been notified, UW President Ed Seidel announced their names and mourned their loss in a statement Friday morning.
They are Charlie Clark, 19, a sophomore on the men’s team and psychology major from Las Vegas, Nevada; Carson Muir, 18, a freshman on the women’s team and an animal and veterinary sciences major from Birmingham, Alabama; and Luke Slabber, 21, a junior on the men’s team studying construction management from Cape Town, South Africa, according to Seidel’s statement.
Two more members of the men’s swimming and diving team were injured in the crash. Seidel’s statement says their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“As we mourn the loss of these students, let’s do our best and pull together, support those who are suffering and show the compassion and kindness that characterize what it means to be part of this community,” said Seidel.
He also took the opportunity to mourn Army ROTC student Sabrina Geller, of Laramie, whose body was found in the Vedauwoo area Feb. 14. Authorities are investigating her death but do not suspect foul play.
“I attended Sabrina’s memorial service Thursday, along with many from our community, and I was touched by the number of people she had impacted in her short life,” said Seidel. “That’s certainly the case for our swimming and diving team members as well. They hailed from widely different geographies, but they found a home on our campus and in our student-athlete community. We will miss them all immensely.”
A Rollover
The five were heading south near Red Mountain Road in Larimer County in a Toyota RAV4, when the RAV4 drove off the road and rolled over, CBS news reported.
UW said initial indications are the driver swerved and the vehicle went off the road, rolling multiple times.
Authorities said the group was not traveling to an official school or athletic function at the time, according to CBS news. The crash is under investigation. Both directions of the highway were closed for most of Thursday afternoon.
Wyoming Gov. Gordon mourned the loss in a statement Thursday evening.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of three University of Wyoming student athletes,” wrote Gordon. “Jennie and I join the entire university community and all of Wyoming in mourning this loss, and we ask you to keep their families, friends and loved ones close to your hearts during this difficult time.”
Counseling
Seidel reiterated that counseling is available at UW.
The Department of Athletics has made counseling services available to student-athletes and coaches. Other UW students in need of support are encouraged to contact the University Counseling Center at 307-766-2187. The Counseling Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is prepared to support students. Students can also call an after-hours crisis counselor at 307-766-8989, the statement says.
It adds that the Dean of Students Office, 307-766-3296, is available for any well-being support or academic assistance students may need.
UW employees may seek assistance through the Employee Assistance Program, specifically MINES & Associates, at 1-800-873-7138.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
