Photo: NewsNation KFOR via AP
A small Oklahoma town is mourning the loss of six female high school students who died in a car accident Tuesday.
The crash occurred at 12:30 p.m., after the small passenger vehicle the Tishomingo High School students were driving in collided with a semi truck, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety toldNBC News. The crash happened at the intersection of U.S. Highway 377 and State Highway 22, and the condition of the truck driver remains unclear,The New York Timesreported.
According to NBC, the students were headed off campus for lunch.
“Our prayers are with each of the families involved and our community. This is an absolute tragedy which will have lifelong effects,” the Johnston County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office said onFacebook. “This community and families need our support and prayers at this time.”
The sheriff’s office added that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation.
The Tishomingo Police Department did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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“We feel it is imperative that we inform you that our district has suffered a great loss today involving high school students. Our hearts are broken, and we are grieving with our students and staff,” Waitman wrote, adding that counselors would be available to students through the day and evening.
Images from the scene of the crash show the small, black passenger vehicle completely destroyed.
“Today is a sad day in Oklahoma. Sarah and I are mourning the six young lives lost today and praying for their families,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitttweetedshortly after the crash.
Tishomingo has a population of about 3,000, and is roughly 120 miles south of Oklahoma City.
source: people.com
