Victims Identified After Train Plows Into Veterans Parade Float In Midland
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: November 21, 2012
MIDLAND -- The identities of four wounded warriors who were killed after a train plowed into a parade float they were riding on in Midland have been released.
Midland Police say that U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer and U.S. Army Sergeant Major Lawrence Boivin died at the scene of the crash, which happened at 4:36 PM Thursday at Garfield Street and Industrial Avenue in Midland.
U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Michael of Hereford and U.S. Army Sergeant Major William Lubbers were pronounced dead at Midland Memorial Hospital.
An additional 17 people were hospitalized after the crash. Most have since been released from the hospitals.
The crash happened along the route that the 9th Annual Show of Support's Hunt for Heroes Parade was taking to the Midland County Horseshoe Arena for the Show of Support Banquet at the time of the crash.
Midland Police Chief Price Robinson tells Big 2 that the parade float that was hit by the train was one of two 18-wheeler flat-bed trailers carrying wounded veterans and their families to the Show of Support Banquet.
The first float crossed the tracks safely, but the train -- which was heading eastbound -- crashed into the second float, killing CWO3 Stouffer, 37, and SGM Boivin, 47, instantly.
Midland Police say that 26 people -- 12 were wounded veterans, their 12 spouses and 2 escorts -- were originally on the parade float. Officers say some of the people were able to jump off the second float before the train hit it.
SGT Michael, 34, and SGM Lubbers, 43, died at Midland Memorial Hospital after the crash.
Witnesses tell Big 2 that the crossing gates didn't go down before the floats crossed the tracks in front of the train. However, Union Pacific says otherwise.
Tom Lange, a spokesperson for Union Pacific, says that the train's two-member crew did sound the train horn prior to impact. They also say that the gates and lights at the intersection were working at the time.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of those affected," said Lange.
Lange added that additional Union Pacific employees are on site and more are heading that way to investigate.
The people on the train were not physically hurt in the collision, but Union Pacific is offering them counseling after the crash.
City of Midland officials said Tuesday that they never received a permit application for the Show of Support Hunt For Heroes Parade.
Midland officials say that no permit was issued for the parade -- meaning it operated without a permit.
Of the 17 people who were rushed to M.M.H. after the crash -- 10 of the injured patients were taken to the Emergency Room in critical condition at one point.
SGM Lubbers's wife -- Tiffanie Lubbers -- was later airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock. As of Sunday afternoon, Tiffanie Lubbers was listed in satusfactory condition at U.M.C.
Tiffanie Lubbers has been placed on U.M.C.'s privacy list, so no new information will be released on her condition.
As of 6 PM Monday, one of the veterans in the crash remained at M.M.H. That veteran was listed in stable condition.
Another 14 people injured in the crash have been released from M.M.H. or moved to a different hospital.
The Show of Support Banquet was cancelled after the crash took place.
Most of Front Street through Midland and other roads in the area of the crash were closed for several hours after the crash took place.
Industrial Avenue was closed between Cotton Flat Road and G Street for more than a day after the crash
The Garfield Street and G Street railroad crossings were also for more than a day.
Midland Police, Midland and Midland County firefighters, Midland County Sheriff's deputies and E.M.S. crews responded to the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety sent a helicopter to search the area. Troopers and TXDOT officials also assisted with traffic control after the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.) spent several days conducting a full investigation into the incident at the scene of the accident after the crash.
Big 2 is continuing to follow this developing story. We'll bring you more information as we get it.
Midland Police say that U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer and U.S. Army Sergeant Major Lawrence Boivin died at the scene of the crash, which happened at 4:36 PM Thursday at Garfield Street and Industrial Avenue in Midland.
U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Michael of Hereford and U.S. Army Sergeant Major William Lubbers were pronounced dead at Midland Memorial Hospital.
An additional 17 people were hospitalized after the crash. Most have since been released from the hospitals.
The crash happened along the route that the 9th Annual Show of Support's Hunt for Heroes Parade was taking to the Midland County Horseshoe Arena for the Show of Support Banquet at the time of the crash.
Midland Police Chief Price Robinson tells Big 2 that the parade float that was hit by the train was one of two 18-wheeler flat-bed trailers carrying wounded veterans and their families to the Show of Support Banquet.
The first float crossed the tracks safely, but the train -- which was heading eastbound -- crashed into the second float, killing CWO3 Stouffer, 37, and SGM Boivin, 47, instantly.
Midland Police say that 26 people -- 12 were wounded veterans, their 12 spouses and 2 escorts -- were originally on the parade float. Officers say some of the people were able to jump off the second float before the train hit it.
SGT Michael, 34, and SGM Lubbers, 43, died at Midland Memorial Hospital after the crash.
Witnesses tell Big 2 that the crossing gates didn't go down before the floats crossed the tracks in front of the train. However, Union Pacific says otherwise.
Tom Lange, a spokesperson for Union Pacific, says that the train's two-member crew did sound the train horn prior to impact. They also say that the gates and lights at the intersection were working at the time.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of those affected," said Lange.
Lange added that additional Union Pacific employees are on site and more are heading that way to investigate.
The people on the train were not physically hurt in the collision, but Union Pacific is offering them counseling after the crash.
City of Midland officials said Tuesday that they never received a permit application for the Show of Support Hunt For Heroes Parade.
Midland officials say that no permit was issued for the parade -- meaning it operated without a permit.
Of the 17 people who were rushed to M.M.H. after the crash -- 10 of the injured patients were taken to the Emergency Room in critical condition at one point.
SGM Lubbers's wife -- Tiffanie Lubbers -- was later airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock. As of Sunday afternoon, Tiffanie Lubbers was listed in satusfactory condition at U.M.C.
Tiffanie Lubbers has been placed on U.M.C.'s privacy list, so no new information will be released on her condition.
As of 6 PM Monday, one of the veterans in the crash remained at M.M.H. That veteran was listed in stable condition.
Another 14 people injured in the crash have been released from M.M.H. or moved to a different hospital.
The Show of Support Banquet was cancelled after the crash took place.
Most of Front Street through Midland and other roads in the area of the crash were closed for several hours after the crash took place.
Industrial Avenue was closed between Cotton Flat Road and G Street for more than a day after the crash
The Garfield Street and G Street railroad crossings were also for more than a day.
Midland Police, Midland and Midland County firefighters, Midland County Sheriff's deputies and E.M.S. crews responded to the crash.
The Texas Department of Public Safety sent a helicopter to search the area. Troopers and TXDOT officials also assisted with traffic control after the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.) spent several days conducting a full investigation into the incident at the scene of the accident after the crash.
Big 2 is continuing to follow this developing story. We'll bring you more information as we get it.
Comments
Why didn't the parade organizers notify the railroad they were going to have a parade at that time crossing the tracks. The railroad would have stopped trains from operating through crossing the during the time of the parade. The Boston Marathon does is for the railroad crossings it crosses and along the trolley track. No trains crossing while the event is going on.
Jeremiah C.
November 16, 2012 at 3:28 am
