Three members of the University of Wyoming swimming and diving team were killed in a traffic accident Thursday afternoon, the school announced.
The single-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. Route 287 and Red Mountain Road between Livermore and Virginia Dale, Colorado, near the Wyoming-Colorado border, the university said in a news release. .
“Initial indications are that the driver swerved and the vehicle left the road and rolled over multiple times. The accident remains under investigation,” the release states.
Two other members of the men's swimming and diving team also sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the incident.
The victim's name is not being released pending notification of family.
The accident occurred just before 2:45 p.m., when a Toyota RAV4 with five people on board left the left shoulder of the southbound lane, overturned multiple times, and two people were thrown.
CSP said the three victims were a 22-year-old man, a 21-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, according to NBC affiliate KUSA in Denver. All of the victims were members of the university's swim team, but it is not believed they were traveling for an official school event.
“We are heartbroken by the news of this terrible tragedy for our university, our state, our student-athlete community, and most importantly, the families and friends of these young men,” UC President Ed Seidel said in a statement. Stated. “There are not enough words to express our sadness.”
Students in need of support were encouraged to contact the university's counseling center or dean of students.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the student-athletes, coaches, families, and friends of swimming and diving,” said Tom Berman, director of athletics at the University of Wisconsin.
“Losing a University of Wyoming family is difficult and we mourn the loss of our student-athletes. We have counseling services available to student-athletes and coaches in their time of need,” he said. added.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon He said he and his wife were “mourning this tragic loss.”
“Please keep their families, friends and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time,” he said.
