During their spring break vacation in Florida, three seniors from Massachusetts high schools, including a two-time state diving champion, perished in a horrifying vehicle accident that left a fourth student critically injured.
Around 9:28 p.m. Monday, the four 18-year-old Concord-Carlisle High School students were traveling down Highway 98 close to Panama City, Florida, when their SUV struck a tractor-trailer making a U-turn, according to reports.
According to the Florida roadway Patrol, the SUV crossed the median and came to a halt in a forested area on the other side of the roadway due to the severity of the collision.
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Hannah Wasserman and Jimmy McIntosh were declared deceased at the spot.
Maisey O’Donnell, the third, was later pronounced dead after the other two were taken to Bay Medical Center in critical condition. According to NBC Boston, the fourth student, who was not named, is still in severe condition.
At the time of the collision, McIntosh, a resident of Carlisle, Massachusetts, was operating the SUV and was buckled up.
Whether Concord residents Wasserman and O’Donnell, as well as the unnamed student, were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash is still up for debate.
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According to WCVB, neither the 19-year-old tractor-trailer driver nor a passenger were hurt in the collision.
The deadly crash is still being investigated, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The deaths of McIntosh, Wasserman, and O’Donnell in the collision were verified by Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Laurie Hunter on Tuesday.
According to the publication, Hunter stated in a statement, “We are very appreciative of the outpouring of love during what is absolutely heartbreaking.” We also recognize the desire to feel empowered and not powerless. Since so many young people are dealing with unimaginable loss, it is most appropriate that no action be taken to recognize the students at this time without the families’ full approval and the necessary support.
The distance between Concord-Carlisle High School and Boston is roughly 25 miles.
Coach Joe Chirico told WCVB that O’Donnell, a two-time Massachusetts state diving champion who planned to commit to Williams College the following year, was a role model for younger athletes and one of the best divers in the United States.
“It’s tragic,” Chirico said to the publication. She was admired by the younger children and the other divers. That someone at the top of their game, attending the premier university, and being among the finest divers in the country was cut off so quickly is tragic.
While on the Concord-Carlisle High School squad in 2023, the young diving prospect received MVP, First squad All-State, First Team All-Area, First Team All-Region, First Team All-County, and First Team All-Conference, according to NCSA Sports.
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