Thomas Worthington and Worthington Kilbourne water polo teams were traveling to an out-of-town tournament Friday morning.
A passenger van carrying players and family members from Worthington Kilbourne collided with a grain truck just after 10 a.m. at State Route 65 and State Route 281.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Department confirms one person was killed in the accident and five others were transported via medical helicopter to both St Vincent Hospital and Toledo Hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office said 19-year-old Courtney Fisher of Worthington suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The remaining passengers in the van were identified as Vicki Fisher age 45, Betsey Fisher age 17, Melanie Fisher age 14, Samantha Fink age 15 and Sydney Zullich age 14.
The driver of the van, Vicki Fisher and passengers, Betsey, Melanie, Samantha and Sydney received life-threatening injuries and were transported via medical helicopter to St Vincent Hospital and Toledo Hospital.
The Sheriff’s Office says following a preliminary crash investigation, it was found that Dillon Chiow, 23, of Anna Ohio was driving a tractor trailer semi southbound on State Route 65. The van, driven by Vicki Fisher, was heading west on State Route 281 and had stopped for the posted stop sign. The van then failed to yield the right of way and pulled out in front of the semi, according to the investigation. The semi struck the van on the passenger side, sending both vehicles in the ditch near the intersection.
Worthington Schools’ superintendent Trent Bowers traveled to the two Toledo hospitals team members were taken, to comfort students and family members of those involved.
“This is a really tough day for Worthington schools. We care deeply about our kids. These are great families. And we lost a really special young lady today,” he said.
Bowers said his heart breaks for the family of Courtney Fisher.
“Courtney was a great young lady. She was an athlete for us. She was a scholar. She served as our student board of education rep. She would often come to our board meetings with wet hair from coming from water polo,” he said.
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Statement from Worthington Kilbourne High School:
We will have school counselors available to work with students and families. We are in the process of ensuring that our families involved are getting the support and resources that they need. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.