Council Rock South classmates return to school after crash that killed teens
HOLLAND, Pa. (WPVI) -- It was a somber back-to-school Wednesday for students at Council Rock High School South, just days after losing three popular incoming sophomores.
Ryan Lesher, Cullen Keffer and Shamus Digney all died Saturday in a rollover crash in the Poconos.
Students, parents and administrators declined to talk Wednesday.
But at a vigil Tuesday night, Council Rock School Superintendent Mark Klein emphasized the need to get students on a routine to help with the grieving process.
"One of the things we know about kids and grieving is that routine is important. So we want tomorrow to be routine," Klein said Tuesday night. "We want them to come to school, go to homeroom. We will certainly acknowledge this loss with a moment of silence tomorrow morning. But for the rest of the day we will try to maintain our routines. We will have counselors and crisis teams available for any kids who are grieving and in crisis."
Authorities say a 15-year-old girl without a license was behind the wheel in Saturday morning's single-vehicle accident in the Poconos. She is from New York.
The three boys killed were riding in that SUV. Another Council Rock student in the vehicle survived, along with the driver and a 16-year-old female passenger, who is also from New York.
School administrators immediately responded by providing help to the victims' families and friends, opening the school for counselors on Labor Day and hosting a vigil Tuesday night for more than 2,000 people.
Some of the victims' family members were in attendance.
Both students and administrators acknowledged the week ahead will be incredibly tough.
"It's going to be hard for a lot of people. A lot of people were very, very close to these kids," senior Kate Tamasitis told Action News.
"Our kids are about to go through something that we don't even know how to manage - three services in three days. So we're going to support those families as they go through that terrible time," said Klein.
The viewings and funerals for the boys begin Wednesday night.
Viewing for Cullen Keffer will be held from 5-9 Wednesday night at Fluehr Funeral Home on Newtown-Richboro Road, Northampton Twp.
(Funeral will be private)
Viewing for Ryan Lesher will be Thursday 5-9 p.m. at St. John's Methodist Church on Almshouse Road, Northampton Twp.
(Funeral will be Friday at the church)
Viewing for Shamus Digney will be Friday 5-9 p.m. at St. Bede's RC Church on Holland Road, Northampton Twp.
(Funeral 10AM Saturday at church)
Administrators say evening activities at Council Rock High School South will be cancelled or rescheduled this week to allow students to attend these services.
Students who attend the services on Friday morning will be excused with a note from parents.
