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The festive atmosphere that usually envelopes the annual Marian Days celebration turned somber this morning with word of a bus crash in Texas that killed 14 Vietnamese headed to Carthage.
The crash that occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. today occurred on a highway overpass north of Dallas and just south of Sherman, Texas. The latest report has 14 people dead and at least 40 sent to hospitals with injuries.
The announcement was made today to the more than 40,000 people gathered for an early morning gathering on the grounds of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix.
Father John of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix said the announcement was made and the people were asked to pray for the souls of those who died and of those who were injured.
“The overall reaction was somber, but we are trying to keep the prayerful spirit up which will keep their spirits up,” said Father John. “We will continue to keep the people in our prayers and to support them in our prayers.”
He said that the accident victims will be remembered in the evening Masses and at all the events throughout Marian Days. He also said that some people who knew those who died or were injured have left to be with them.”
Carthage Mayor Jim Woestman’s voice was breaking up on the phone as he conveyed his thoughts to The Carthage Press.
“This is just super sad,” he said. “I’m breaking up. I just can’t believe this. These are very religious people and they come up here and become a part of our community. They are very devout in their religion. This celebration means so much to these people and to have this happen is just so sad. It’s a great loss not only to that religious family, but to the city of Carthage.”
Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Missouri, who was the celebrant Thursday night at the Pontifical Mass in honor of the Blessed Sacrament at Marian Days, issued the following statement: "Our Church is profoundly saddened by this tragic accident. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of those who were killed or injured and to their families. Let us pray for God's consolation for the grieving, His healing for the injured, and His mercy and eternal peace for all those who died."
The bus was coming from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston. According to the accident report, the bus ran off U.S. 75 and skidded across a guardrail before falling 15 feet and landing on its side. The bus, carrying 55 people, may have blown a tire, but officials were still investigating the crumpled wreckage littered with luggage, shopping bags and scattered clothing.
The festive atmosphere that usually envelopes the annual Marian Days celebration turned somber this morning with word of a bus crash in Texas that killed 14 Vietnamese headed to Carthage.
The crash that occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. today occurred on a highway overpass north of Dallas and just south of Sherman, Texas. The latest report has 14 people dead and at least 40 sent to hospitals with injuries.
The announcement was made today to the more than 40,000 people gathered for an early morning gathering on the grounds of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix.
Father John of the Congregation of the Mother Co-Redemptrix said the announcement was made and the people were asked to pray for the souls of those who died and of those who were injured.
“The overall reaction was somber, but we are trying to keep the prayerful spirit up which will keep their spirits up,” said Father John. “We will continue to keep the people in our prayers and to support them in our prayers.”
He said that the accident victims will be remembered in the evening Masses and at all the events throughout Marian Days. He also said that some people who knew those who died or were injured have left to be with them.”
Carthage Mayor Jim Woestman’s voice was breaking up on the phone as he conveyed his thoughts to The Carthage Press.
“This is just super sad,” he said. “I’m breaking up. I just can’t believe this. These are very religious people and they come up here and become a part of our community. They are very devout in their religion. This celebration means so much to these people and to have this happen is just so sad. It’s a great loss not only to that religious family, but to the city of Carthage.”
Bishop James V. Johnston Jr. of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in Missouri, who was the celebrant Thursday night at the Pontifical Mass in honor of the Blessed Sacrament at Marian Days, issued the following statement: "Our Church is profoundly saddened by this tragic accident. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of those who were killed or injured and to their families. Let us pray for God's consolation for the grieving, His healing for the injured, and His mercy and eternal peace for all those who died."
The bus was coming from the Vietnamese Martyrs Church of Houston. According to the accident report, the bus ran off U.S. 75 and skidded across a guardrail before falling 15 feet and landing on its side. The bus, carrying 55 people, may have blown a tire, but officials were still investigating the crumpled wreckage littered with luggage, shopping bags and scattered clothing.
“There were people deceased from the front of the bus to the back of the bus,” said officer Zachary Flores, one of the first on the scene.
Police said 12 people died at the scene and two more died at a Dallas hospital. At least six more were hospitalized in critical condition.
The injured were rushed by road and air to several hospitals. Northbound traffic on the highway was shut down as ambulances and helicopters used the roadway and median to ferry the injured to hospitals.
Holly Nguyen, 38, a church member who was following behind the bus in a car, told emergency workers, “Please pray for us.” She was anxiously waiting for word on whether her father, who was on the bus, was dead or injured.”
Investigators have interviewed the bus driver and he is in stable condition.
The events associated with Marian Days have not been changed.
Note: The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
