The worst vehicular accident in several years in the city limits occurred Sunday morning in North Lawrence, authorities said.
Three men died -- including two Haskell Indian Nations University students -- and three others were in critical or serious condition at area hospitals after the pickup they were riding in overturned Sunday morning in North Lawrence.
Authorities at 7:47 a.m. were called to Seventh and Maple, where several people were ejected from the bed of the truck on the Union Pacific railroad tracks.
"There was just bodies laying all over the track here," said Dale Mock, who lives nearby.
The Chevy S-10 pickup was traveling west on Maple Street when it went off the road, struck the railroad tracks and overturned, landing back on its wheels, said Lawrence police spokesman Sgt. George Wheeler.
Residents in the area said the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed.
"They were going fast when they hit those tracks," said Gina Snodgrass, whose husband, Mike, saw the truck flip over.
"He said the truck was airborne for a long time," she said.
Wheeler said a total of eight people were in the truck, a number of whom were riding in the bed.
All the victims were men who appeared to be in their early 20s, and many were Haskell Indian Nations University students, said Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Capt. Pat Talkington.
Benny Smith, Haskell's assistant dean of students and director of counseling, said the accident has "sort of had a sobering effect" on students and faculty.
"People are still asking a lot of questions," he said Sunday night.
Three of the victims were prounced dead at the scene. Their names were being withheld pending notification of relatives. Two of the dead were Haskell students, Smith said.
Authorities on Sunday night still were trying to determine the identity of the third man who died.
Kerry Jymm, Gallup, N.M., was taken from the scene by helicopter to the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., where he was in critical condition Sunday night.
Joshua Longhat, 19, Zuni, N.M., was taken by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, then taken by helicopter to KUMC, where he was in serious condition Sunday night. Longhat is a Haskell student, Smith said.
Clint Wohquahbochkuk, 23, Mayetta, also was taken from the scene by helicopter. He was in critical condition at Overland Park Regional Medical Center on Sunday night.
The driver was identified as Manuel Brown, a former Haskell student. He was taken to LMH, but a nursing supervisor said she could provide no information on his condition.
Another man was taken to LMH, but his name and condition were not available.
Smith said he had been at KUMC most of the day Sunday, checking on the condition of Jymm and Longhat.
A counselor had gone to speak with Brown at his request, Smith said. Another counselor was taking telephone calls at Haskell's counseling center, he said.
Connie and Larry Stroda, who live down the street from the accident site, said two vehicles that were following the truck stopped after the accident, and several of the victims' friends ran to try to help them.
"They all knew each other," Connie Stroda said.
In a frantic state, she said, some of the victims' friends ran to the Strodas' home and asked to call 911.
"They were very upset," she said.
Snodgrass said she saw the driver of the truck get out of the vehicle after it overturned.
"I thought, 'It's not as bad as we think,'" she said. "But then, he went over to his buddy and said, 'Hey man, get up, get up.' And I just saw him lifting this limp arm."
Later, witnesses said, many friends of the victims began arguing and fighting among themselves.
"It was their way of dealing with this," Connie Stroda said.
Wheeler said one person was detained, but later released, for interfering with the duties of emergency officials.
A beer keg was found on the tracks along with the victims, apparently ejected from the bed of the truck, witnesses said.
Wheeler would not comment on Sunday if alcohol was a factor in the accident.
He said it was the worst accident in the city in recent years.
"It's a tragic incident for the families, for the officers and paramedics who had to work it, as well as the community," Wheeler said.
"This was a bad incident," said Paul Taylor, chaplain for Fire & Medical, who was called to the scene to help dozens of emergency officials cope. "I'm sure this will stick in people's minds for a while because of the tragic nature of it."
Haskell's counseling center will be available today for students and staff. The number is 749-8445.
-- Michael Dekker's phone message number is 832-7187. His e-mail address is mdekker@ljworld.com.
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