Three Massachusetts highschool seniors — together with a two-time state diving champion — had been killed in a horrific automotive crash that additionally left a fourth scholar combating for his or her life throughout their Florida spring break trip.
The 4 Harmony-Carlisle Excessive College college students, all 18 years outdated, had been driving down Freeway 98 close to Panama Metropolis, Fla., when their SUV collided with a tractor-trailer that was performing a U-turn round 9:28 p.m. on Monday evening, in line with experiences.
The pressure of the wreck brought on the SUV to cross over the median and cease in a wooded space on the other facet of the freeway, Florida Freeway Patrol mentioned.
Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman had been pronounced lifeless on the scene.
The 2 others had been rushed to Bay Medical Heart in essential situation, the place the third, Maisey O’Donnell, was later declared lifeless. The fourth scholar, who was not recognized, stays in essential situation, NBC Boston.
McIntosh, of Carlisle, Mass., was driving the SUV on the time of the crash and was carrying his seatbelt.
Investigators are nonetheless figuring out whether or not Wasserman and O’Donnell, of Harmony, and the unidentified scholar had been carrying seatbelts in the course of the collision.
The 19-year-old tractor-trailer driver and a passenger weren’t injured within the incident, WCVB reported.
The Florida Freeway Patrol mentioned the deadly collision remains to be below investigation.
Harmony-Carlisle Regional College District Superintendent Laurie Hunter confirmed Tuesday that McIntosh, Wasserman and O’Donnell had been all killed within the crash.
“We are very appreciative of the outpouring of love during what is absolutely heartbreaking,” Hunter mentioned in a press release, in line with the outlet. We additionally admire the want to really feel purposeful and never helpless. Presently, it’s most applicable that no motion be taken to honor the scholars with out the complete consent of the households and applicable help for therefore many younger folks going through unfathomable loss.”
Harmony-Carlisle Excessive College is positioned about 25 miles exterior of Boston.
O’Donnell — a two-time Massachusetts state diving champion, supposed to decide to Williams School subsequent yr — was one of many high divers within the US and a job mannequin to youthful athletes, her coach Joe Chirico advised WCVB.
“It’s a tragedy,” Chirico advised the outlet. “The little kids looked up to her, the other divers looked up to her. It’s a tragedy, that somebody at the top of their game, going to the best academic school, one of the best divers in the nation, was cut so short.”
The younger diving prospect had gained MVP, 1st Group All-State, 1st Group All-Space, 1st Group All-Area, 1st Group All-County, and 1st Group All-Convention whereas on the Harmony Carlisle Excessive College group in 2023, in line with NCSA Sports activities.
Wasserman was described as a “bright light taken far too soon” as family members arrange a GoFundMe to assist the coed’s dad and mom cowl funeral and memorial bills for his or her 18-year-old daughter
“Hannah was truly one of a kind: warm-hearted, kind, and always looking out for others,” organizer Rex Riessen wrote. “She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. Whether it was a friend in need, a classmate having a rough day, or a stranger who needed a smile, Hannah showed up with compassion and care.”
