NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Trevecca Nazarene University plans to offer financial support to one of their students injured in the deadly tour bus crash in California last week.
Jim Mayo, a Master of Business Administration student, suffered a fractured sternum, a vertical shear pelvic injury and internal bleeding, according to a GoFundMe page created by his daughter.
Mayo is also the tour manager for country musician Josh Turner. Last Wednesday night, the tour bus carrying road crew members, veered off Highway 46 near McMillan Canyon Road, smashed through a fence and plunged off a 50 foot cliff. It killed audio engineer David Turner, who is unrelated to Josh Turner, and injured six other members.
In a GoFundMe page created for David Turner's family, he was described as dedicated, and was a grandfather.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
"It was shocking to all of us," Trevecca Nazarene University MBA Director Dr. Rick Mann told NewsChannel 5. "I'm sure it's got to be traumatic for the family."
Dr. Mann said Mayo is a good and dedicated student, who was even concerned about his classes following the crash. To help ease the stress, the university wants to offer financial assistance to help with medical and travel costs, and tuition relief. It's unknown exactly how much the school will be offering.
"Our goal is to help every student get to the finish line. We can stand with the family and be creative in figuring out how he can complete," Mann added.
Among the people hurt were lighting director Jed Downing. CHP said his injuries were not as severe but according to his friend Hunter Carmichael, his knee and back are in bad shape. As a production manager, Carmichael go to know the group through the industry. He said Downing texted him how he was okay but felt sad for his touring family.
"For it to happen to those guys, knowing how great those guys are, it's just completely shocking," Carmichael said. "For the whole entire touring community, we all lost a family member."
Josh Turner has postponed all of his tour dates this month.
Nearly a week after the crash, Josh Turner publicly addressed the crash on his Facebook page.
"As I try to write this I don’t know what to say. It’s a struggle to put into words the devastation and grief that our road family is trying to process. We lost a beloved member of our team, David Turner. He was like a brother to so many in this industry and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Please continue to keep David’s family in your prayers.
All of our crew suffered significant injuries and many have long roads to recovery. I would ask that you give them privacy during this time."
Josh Turner's management company has also created a GoFundMe to support crew members involved in the crash. That GoFundMe page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/JTcrewdonations
