Bus Carrying University of Southwest’s Golf Teams Crashes Leaving Nine Dead

Nine people were killed, including six student-athletes and a coach from the University of the Southwest golf team, in a head-on collision Tuesday night in Texas.

Police officials say a pickup truck crossed traffic on a highway and crashed into a vehicle carrying members of the school’s men’s and women’s golf teams. Golf coach Tyler James was driving and was among the dead.

The driver of the pickup truck and a passenger were among the dead. In addition to the deaths, two students were air-lifted to a hospital.

The teams were returning from a tournament in Midland, Texas.

“We are still learning the details about the accident, but we are devastated and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of our students’ lives and their coach,” University president Quint Thurman said a statement.

“USW is coordinating with Texas DPS to assist with the investigation and public information efforts,” the Hobbs, N.M.-based school added. “University administration is communicating with families of the students and coaching staff to provide more information as it becomes available.”