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Liberty Players Injured

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:41 pm
by Timbalaned
Just saw this over on Laxpower, hope they are all alright...

Members of LU Lacrosse Team Critical Following Crash

Pritchard, AL - Liberty University's Lacrosse Team is involved in a serious accident in Alabama, more than ten are injured, some seriously. The accident happened in Pritchard, Alabama around 2:00 Monday afternoon, Lynchburg time.

Two passenger vans carrying the team collided with oncoming traffic. We're told that at least 12 people were taken to area hospitals, including two who were airlifted. It appears four students are in critical condition and the team's coach may be unconscious.

One reporter on the scene described it to us as, -- quote -- "very bloody." Television station WEAR in Pensacola is reporting that the accident happened around 1:00pm Central Time on Route 45 near Pritchard.

We're told there are at 12 students who were taken to the hospital, 4 in critical condition and 8 with minor injuries. The accident happened when one of the rental vans carrying the team slowed down for a truck in front of it. A reporter at the scene tells us, that the second van struck the first one, forcing it into oncoming traffic.

Sources tell us one team member was ejected from the van and two more were trapped inside and had to be cut out.

We’ll have more details, as they become available.





http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0305/213494.html

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:02 pm
by bbandlax
John Westfall is a great guy and I hope he and all of his players will pull through this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.

Scottie

PS - If anyone has any further information on the status of those injured please keep us informed.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:32 pm
by Sonny
All the best to the entire Liberty Lacrosse Family at this difficult time.

If I hear anything more, I will post in this thread.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:22 pm
by Catlax
My thoughts and prayers are with LU tonight. I'm the parent of a 20 year old laxer at Florida and I can't tell you how awful I feel for the parents and classmates of these young men.

If any community will rally around this program and its families, the lacrosse community will! I am deeply sorry for LU.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:25 pm
by RollTide!
I hope they all get better. They were a cool bunch of guys to play with, and a great group of players. Praying for the best for them.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:25 pm
by gogators!
My thoughts and prayers are with the players, coaches and families of the Liberty lacrosse team. May God be with you all in such trying times.

Dave Adams

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:07 pm
by asulax42
We're praying for you guys down here in Boone. Anyone who gets any new information please update us on the situation.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:25 pm
by Bill Kendall
I don't have any details at this time, but will do my best to keep you informed.

Thanks for the kind thoughts, please keep praying!

LU lax

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:35 pm
by Catlax
Bill Please let us know how we can help! I feel awful for you, your staff,your school and the families of these kids! This is truly a family affair and you're not alone!

May God bless you and give you strength!

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:45 pm
by MinesGoallie45
If someone could IM me with the hospital where John and the rest of the LU team is I would apriciate it....

We would like to send some flowers and such to our old coach....

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:09 pm
by Bill Kendall
MinesGoallie45 wrote:If someone could IM me with the hospital where John and the rest of the LU team is I would apriciate it....

We would like to send some flowers and such to our old coach....


I'm trying to find that out myself. I did not make the road trip as it was my daughters birthday. I totally feel like crap!

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:20 pm
by Catlax
Bill, forget that. If you had gone, you would be in a hospital bed next to them. You have other duties now. Don't beat yourself up over things that you don't control and aren't your fault. And please go talk to someone! You should not go through this alone.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:31 pm
by Bill Kendall
Here is what I have found out...

Several players (whose names I cannot list due to privacy laws etc) are listed in stable condition at USA Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama
2 are listed in Fair Condition in the ICU, 4 are listed as stable and 3 have been discharged at this time. The nurse at USA told me one of the players grandparents live in the area and the team is there overnight.

USA MEd Center 251 471-1000


There were 4 players who were taken to Providence Hospital, one is still in stable condition in the ICU apparently the other 3 were discharged, though I cannot confirm that.

Providence Hospital 251 633-1000

More news as I get it, it's gonna be a long night for me. Just keep the team and John Westfall in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:12 pm
by onpoint
Thanks for the updates, Bill. Best wishes to all the Liberty lacrosse family. Hopefully everyone comes out of this okay. This is every coach's worst nightmare and I hope that everything turns out well for the people involved.

our prayers are with you

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:23 pm
by elozada
On behalf of Davidson, I offer my own and my team's deepest sympathy for the Liberty family during this difficult time. We hope that those who are injured recover from their injuries.

Fuji Lozada