Live Updates: Two McPherson Residents Killed at Wichita Soccer Complex
Wichita police identified the victims Sunday as Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35
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Sign up freeWICHITA, Kan. — A 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man, both from McPherson, were killed Saturday afternoon when a pickup truck drove onto a field during a youth soccer game at Stryker Sports Complex. Eleven others were taken to hospitals. Citizen Journal will update this story as new information is confirmed. Newest updates appear first.
Monday, Oct. 19, 5:30 p.m. - McPherson County Community Foundation opens fund to help affected families
The McPherson County Community Foundation has opened a fund to support the families who lost loved ones on Saturday.
Michelle Huddle, chief executive officer of the foundation, said in an interview with Citizen Journal that the fund was meant to be a conduit for the existing work that the McPherson community is doing - not replace it.
Read the full story and donate here:
Matthew Petillo
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:30 p.m - Businesses and community rally to fund-raise for those affected
After a pickup truck killed two McPherson residents and injured 11 others at Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita on Saturday, Oct. 17, businesses in McPherson, Wichita, and Salina began organizing fundraisers, gift cards, and care baskets for the affected families.
Read the full story and find a list of fundraisers here:
Sarah Newberry
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:11 p.m. — Police thank bystanders; how to help the investigation
Police thanked the community members who began helping the injured before emergency crews arrived. Responding agencies included Wichita police and fire, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Sedgwick County EMS and Bel Aire police.
Anyone with information can contact WPD investigators at 316-268-4407, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 316-267-2111.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:07 p.m. — Ages of the 10 injured
Police released the ages and genders of the 10 people hurt in the crash: a 5-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy, two 8-year-old boys, a 9-year-old girl, a 28-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man, a 59-year-old woman, a 65-year-old woman and a 68-year-old man. All were taken to Ascension Via Christi or Wesley Medical Center with injuries described as noncritical. A 61-year-old woman was also transported for medical complications unrelated to the crash.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:05 p.m. — Police chief: "Our hearts are with the families"
Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan, in a statement Sunday:
"Our hearts are with the families of Adrian and Nicholas as they face an unimaginable loss. What should have been a day of children playing soccer and families spending time together ended in tragedy.
"We are also thinking about those who were injured, their loved ones and everyone who witnessed what happened. We know this tragedy has affected many people throughout our community, and we want those families to know they are not alone. Our officers and investigators will continue working to understand exactly what happened."
Sunday, Oct. 18, 4:00 p.m. — What police say happened
According to the preliminary investigation, the pickup was parked in a space near the soccer fields before it drove onto one of the fields, striking multiple children and adults. Sedgwick County 911 began receiving calls about 3:25 p.m. Saturday. Two of the driver's children were inside the truck at the time; a third was playing soccer on another field at the complex. Police have not released the driver's name.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3:54 p.m. — Driver released pending toxicology; no charges filed
Wichita police released the 34-year-old driver Sunday pending the results of toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of her Chevrolet pickup. No charges have been filed. Investigators interviewed more than 30 witnesses, including the two juveniles who were in the truck, before interviewing the driver, then consulted with the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office. Police said the investigation remains active and they are still working to determine what led to the crash.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3:25 p.m. — Mayor Loving: "This whole town is grieving with you"
Mayor Jim Loving issued the following statement Sunday afternoon through the city of McPherson:
On Saturday afternoon, two of our own — a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man — were killed at a youth soccer game in Wichita. Eleven more were taken to hospitals, several of them children.
There is nothing I can say that makes that right.
To the families who lost someone: this whole town is grieving with you, and we will stand with you for as long as it takes. To the injured and their families: we are praying for your recovery.
Thank you to the bystanders who stepped in before the first ambulance arrived, and to the first responders in Wichita and here at home. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu has reached out to express her condolences to our community, and we are grateful for her support.
In the days ahead, give these families their privacy.
McPherson Public Schools (USD 418) has communicated directly with families. Counselors and support staff will be in every building Monday.
McPherson takes care of each other. We will get through this together.
— Jim Loving, Mayor
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3:15 p.m. — Police identify the two killed
Wichita police on Sunday identified the two people killed Saturday as Cole Adrian, 6, and Nicholas Schafer, 35, both of McPherson. The two were not related and were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Ten others were taken to Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center with injuries police described as noncritical: five children ages 5 to 9 and five adults ages 28 to 68. A 61-year-old woman was also hospitalized for a medical issue unrelated to the crash.