Birmingham native Carson Muir was among three University of Wyoming swimmers killed in a traffic accident in Colorado on Thursday, according to a statement released Friday by the school's president.
Muir, 18, Charlie Clark, 19, and Luke Slabber, 21, were involved in a single-vehicle crash on Route 287 northwest of Livermore, Colorado, around 2:45 p.m. Mountain Time. All died. The accident occurred approximately 10 miles south. border between Wyoming and Colorado.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our swimming and diving student-athletes, coaches, families, and friends,” Wyoming Director of Athletics Tom Berman said in a statement. . “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.”
Muir, a graduate of Spain Park High School, was a freshman for the Cowgirls, specializing in freestyle and butterfly competitions and majoring in animal science and veterinary medicine. The high school senior won the Class 6A-7A championship in the girls' 500-meter freestyle at the AHSAA state championships in December 2022.
Clark was a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nevada, and Slabber was a junior from Cape Town, South Africa. Two other members of Wyoming's swimming and diving team, whose names have not been released, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident.
According to CBS News Colorado, the five teammates were riding in a Toyota RAV-4 that veered off the left shoulder of the road and overturned multiple times. It was not immediately clear which of the five people was driving.
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of three University of Wyoming student-athletes in a motor vehicle crash on Highway 287 in Colorado,” Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said in a statement to WyomingNews.com. . “Jenny and I mourn this loss along with the entire university community and the entire state of Wyoming. Please keep their families, friends, and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
