Message Regarding Men's and Women's Crew Team

Last evening, the Lehigh community was shaken by reports of a bus accident on westbound Route 22 involving 18 members of the men's and women's crew team, the Lehigh bus driver, and a driver in another car who was tragically killed in the accident. Pa. State Police reports indicate that the accident occurred when the driver of the other car hit the Lehigh team bus, causing it to flip over.

We feel very fortunate to be able to report that all of the Lehigh students and the bus driver were not seriously injured and were released from the three area hospitals they were transported to after being fully evaluated. All were offered support from various individuals - athletic coaches and staff, Student Affairs staff, Lehigh University counselors and others - and we will continue to do all that we can to support them in the aftermath of this traumatizing event.

We'd also like to commend our Lehigh University Police Department -- which quickly arrived on the scene and remained there as the investigation continued well into the morning hours -- and the Transportation Services staff, who were both professional and caring in light of this particularly difficult circumstance.

We know that the campus community will rally in support of these students and staff as they make a complete recovery, and we will continue to keep them, as well as the young man who lost his life in this accident and his family, in our thoughts.

Sincerely,
John Smeaton
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Joe Sterrett
Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics