PRESS RELEASE                                                   Date  11/9/2008  1:00PM

 

Westwood Community School District

1000 Rebel Way

Sloan, Iowa 51055

712 428 3355

Kirk Ahrends Superintendent

 

As reported in the media the wrestlers from the Westwood School District were traveling to a clinic in Maple Valley when they were hit by a van. Five students and one coach all sustained injuries substantial enough to warrant transport to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. Those in the school suburban were:

Coach Dan Thompson

Trent Baker -16

Adam Greeno - 16

Blake Jorgensen - 15

Jordan Mitchell - 18

Sage Washburn - 16

 

The driver of the other vehicle that struck the school vehicle was Brad Haburn, the father of one of our Westwood students. The thoughts and prayers of our communities go out to his family.

The injuries to the students and coach are substantial and ongoing. Details of their conditions are only available through the Mercy Medical Center. However, we can say that all held their own or improved during the last 24 hours. Coach Dan Thompson, Jordan Mitchell, and Sage Washburn are able to have visitors. Immediate family may only visit Trent Baker, Adam Greeno, and Blake Jorgensen. The families and school wish to thank everyone for their prayers, visits, and outstanding support through this time.

Details and the cause of the accident are being investigated by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s department and Iowa State Patrol, however all reports to us indicate our school vehicle was driving in a safe and legal manner.

The Westwood District would like to thank the rescue and law enforcement agencies that responded quickly and helped get our people medical attention. We are also grateful to the Mercy Medical Center for providing wonderful support to our Westwood family during this tragic time. Finally, we are blessed to have a such strong communities that will help and support these students and staff through their recovery.

An update on the condition of students and staff will be given to the students on a daily basis. Our counselors will be available for any students that need to talk. Westwood secondary staff will have a staff meeting at 7:45 in the library.

Westwood will have school on Monday, November 10th as scheduled. However, ITBS/ITED testing is postponed for one week.