Memorial Mass Marks 20th Anniversary of Swim Team Bus Tragedy

A Mass of Remembrance took place at 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., presided and president emeritus, Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., delivered the homily.

Shortly after midnight on Jan. 24, 1992, in the midst of a heavy snowstorm, a bus bringing the Irish women's swimming team back to campus from a meet at Northwestern University slid off the Indiana Toll Road and rolled over. Meghan Beeler from Granger, Ind., and Colleen Hipp from St. Louis, both freshmen, lost their lives in the accident. Most of the other swimmers, coaches and staff were injured, including Haley Scott, also a freshman, who was paralyzed for more than a week.

The Mass was held in memory of Meghan and Colleen, in thanksgiving for healing, and in appreciation to members of the Notre Dame and South Bend communities who responded at the time of the accident and beyond.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• bus
• tragedy
• swim
• team
• Memorial
• Mass (liturgy)