A day after counselors were at a suburban Philadelphia school to provide support and guidance to students and parents following the death of three sophomores after a sport utility vehicle overturned in northeastern Pennsylvania a vigil is planned to remember the boys.
Lackawanna County Coroner Timothy Rowland said 15-year-old Ryan Lesher of Churchville and 15-year-old Shamus Digney of Holland died at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton following the Saturday morning crash in Paupack Township, Wayne County, about 115 miles north of their Bucks County school.
Northampton Police Chief Michael Clark said Cullen Keffer was the other teenager killed. Three other unidentified people were injured.
"It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the deaths of three sophomores at Council Rock High School South," said Mark Klein, Council Rock School District's superintendent. "They were involved in a terrible automobile accident."
All three boys were athletes at the school, according to John Radick, the assistant principal and athletic director at Council Rock South.
"Everyone was crying," said Jake Cardonick, a Junior and friend of Cullen Keffer. "I was at work and got a call saying Cullen died in a car accident. I went home immediately, crying."
The family of Ryan Lesher also released a statement on the teen's death.
"We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support," they wrote. "Ryan was a truly special young man, and we are deeply devastated by his loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Digney and Keffer families. Thank you for respecting our privacy as we mourn this terrible tragedy."
The high school, located in Holland, Pa., is offering counselors to students and their families. The school was open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Labor Day and counselors remained on site Tuesday. A vigil for the teens is scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:30.
