Photo: NOAA Photo Library / Getty Images
Three University of Oklahoma meteorology students died in a traffic accident when they were struck by a tractor-trailer after chasing a tornado in Kansas last night, and they had posted a video of the tornado just hours before it died, authorities reported.
The victims were identified as Nicholas Nair, of 20 years old, originally from Denton, Texas, Gavin Short, of 19, from Graylake, Illinois, and Drake Brooks, aged 22 years of old, from Evansille, Indiana, died in the accident after 11: 30 at night, according to the Highway Patrol report of Oklahoma (OHP).
The three youths were in the car Nair was driving south on the Interstate 30, when the vehicle hydroplaned in Tonkawa, at 85 miles north of Oklahoma City, according to the police report.
“It appears they hydroplaned, hit a barrier wall and then became disabled at interstate crossings,” OHP Lt. Phillip Ludwyck told KWTV.
The car drove away and then returned to I-35, where he was struck by a southbound tractor-trailer, according to OHP. The three students remained immobilized for five hours before rescuers were able to extricate them at the scene.
“This terrible news affects more, of course, those who knew Drake, Nic and Gavin best: their families, friends, teachers, staff and other significant people in their lives,” university president Joseph Harroz, Jr. wrote in a letter. “Since their untimely deaths, there has been a tremendous outpouring of love and affection for each of them, not just in OU, but beyond.”
On the other hand, the school’s Faculty of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences insisted that the students seek help, if necessary, since “we all regret this unthinkable anguish.”
Just a few before the fatal accident, Nair and Short posted online social Twitter the videos of a tornado they witnessed in the vicinity of Herington, Kansas.
Nair collaborated with the university’s newscast, OU Nightly, and one of his weather reports was posted on the newscast’s website on Thursday.
“You think about the future they had and the intelligence and the wisdom, and it’s heartbreaking to think that we lost three very talented young men,” Ludwyck told the station.
The truck driver was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released, the OHP said.
“Drake, Nic and Gavin were united by a shared passion,” he wrote the rector of the university in the letter from him. “While we mourn this immeasurable and profound loss, we also remember the root of his chosen calling, which was to help others. His pursuit of that calling is admirable and inspiring to all of us.”
For its part, the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, dedicated its launch of weather balloons in honor of the three students on Saturday.
On this very sad day in the Norman weather community, our evening weather balloon launch is dedicated to Nic, Drake and Gavin – OU meteorology students who died in a tragic traffic accident last night. pic.twitter.com/49q2eepp8l— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) April 30, 2022
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