Multiple injuries at Trail Days parade

[Coosa]

When I was on the Trail last week, I met some hikers who planned to be at TD. Waiting to hear Trail Names of the injured. Praying for everyone.

Coosa

[BeingLinda]

Heard from my son (Thru Hiker "Long Island") at 7:00pm...Miraculously he stepped out of the parade to walk ahead of it to take pics less than a minute before this happened...He told me Damascus is basically on lock down and hikers are desperately seeking news about fellow hikers not yet accounted for...Since there is a field of tents belonging to hikers attending the festival, they are hoping to get a better head count as night falls in regards to who may have gotten hurt (ie: who returns to their tent and who doesn't)...I know Birdman...My son spent much time with him in the Asheville area and I had the pleasure of meeting him in Hot Springs...Please post if you hear any further news about injured and/or safe hikers...My thoughts & prayers are with all affected by this trail tragedy...

[hikerboy57]

Heard from my son (Thru Hiker "Long Island") at 7:00pm...Miraculously he stepped out of the parade to walk ahead of it to take pics less than a minute before this happened...He told me Damascus is basically on lock down and hikers are desperately seeking news about fellow hikers not yet accounted for...Since there is a field of tents belonging to hikers attending the festival, they are hoping to get a better head count as night falls in regards to who may have gotten hurt (ie: who returns to their tent and who doesn't)...I know Birdman...My son spent much time with him in the Asheville area and I had the pleasure of meeting him in Hot Springs...Please post if you hear any further news about injured and/or safe hikers...My thoughts & prayers are with all affected by this trail tragedy...

i met youor son on the trail last month.glad to here hes okay

[TOW]

To those wishing ill on "old people." There are ample gray haired geezer hikers/wannabe hikers that think they can still mix in and party with the 20-something hikers and get just as drunk/high as the kids. They may be "old" on the calendar but they're still immature kids in the head.

do what? where did that come from?

[mountain squid]

Some local news links:

WCYB

WJHL

Thoughts and prayers with the hikers.

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[wishful1015]

Thanks for the info

[mountain squid]

Here's another link with some good info:

Johnson City Press

See you on the trail,
mt squid

[jac115]

My thoughts and prayers are with the injured. The 2013 class has had its share of troubles so far and the journey is not over. First the weather to deal with, now this. jac115

[Grits]

Here's another link with some good info:

Johnson City Press

See you on the trail,
mt squid

I hope someone posts information about this fund to assist the injured hikers.
From the article from Johnson City Press
"

Mayor Jack McCrady encouraged people to attend the festival on Sunday, its final day.
"In 27 years of this, we've never had anything of this magnitude, and is it our job to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.
McCrady said a donation fund was being set up to assist the injured, some of whom don't have medical insurance. "

[redseal]

My heart goes out to all involved in today's events. Hoping there are many speedy recoveries.

[Deer Hunter]

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-vehi...,4296783.story

http://www.wsls.com/story/22289159/b...ultiple-people

[fiddlehead]

Just heard the same thing on Fox News. 60 people hurt.

The girl in the video who was there says 3 to 6 people hurt.
Fox news says 60.
Who to believe?

Tragic.
She said she heard the guy had a stroke.

Good luck to all injured.

[mfleming]

60 or so injured, 6 or so seriously

[Ktaadn]

I hope someone posts information about this fund to assist the injured hikers.
From the article from Johnson City Press
"

Mayor Jack McCrady encouraged people to attend the festival on Sunday, its final day.
"In 27 years of this, we've never had anything of this magnitude, and is it our job to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.
McCrady said a donation fund was being set up to assist the injured, some of whom don't have medical insurance. "

I think the driver's insurance will be taking care of that.

[ShakeyLeggs]

My thoughts and prayers go out to these injured. I am not there and I have not seen it posted but I would like to put out a BIG thank you to all the first responders and officials, who sprang into action immediately to ensure our fellow hikers and Trail Days attendees were promptly cared for.

[4Bears]

Prayers for all concerned.

[weary]

well it couldnt be here. half of us are old geezers

Speak for yourself. I'm not an old geezer. I'm only 84. But my slightly younger, oldest sister and her husband were in Damascus. Marge and Earle of The Cabin in Maine, were about a mile away from the mishap. One couple was hurt seriously. Apparently an "old geezer" was having a heart incident as the crash happened. A still younger sister, who lives in Rumford, Maine, reported Earl and Marge are fine and are expected back at the Cabin on Wednesday.

[Lyle]

I think the driver's insurance will be taking care of that.

His insurance may well be maxed out. Helicopers are ungodly expensive, so are Trauma Units, plus if there is long-term re-hab for any of the victims. Add to that 10 or 12 other's who were transported to local hospitals via ground ambulance (according to some news reports), and the cost could easily go beyond what one insurance policy will cover. Does VA have a catastrophic claim pool, or something similar like we do in Michigan?

Hopefully someone will post here the details if and when a fund is established.

[Elder]

I was there , just down the street. There were (unofficially, but from my sheriff friends) 19 transported, 6 as critical, but only one actually critical and she is stable. I saw Rainbow Brite at the campground. She was under the car that was lifted by the hikers..she ONLY has a broken toe. Amazing.
The Total number including numerous minor injuries was abot 50.
All but the one were treated and released.
Many Blessings that no deaths, and the serious injuries seem to be fewer than originally reported..as usual.

[Mayer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22584763
Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims. I hope everyone makes it out okay.