Pike Co, IN and Gibson Co, IN (WFIE) -
14 NEWS UPDATE:
Visitation and funeral services for an Oakland City student killed in a Monday wreck have been scheduled.
Visitation for Kalin Atkins will be Wednesday from 4pm to 8 p.m. at Lamb Basham Funeral Home in Oakland City. Funeral services will be at 10 A.M. on Thursday at Church of the Nazarene.
14 News has learned that Kyle Butts was released from the hospital on Thursday. His family says say several students visited him at the hospital.
Previously Reported:
One high school student died and another is in critical condition tonight after a traffic accident Monday afternoon in Pike County.
The student killed was 18-year-old Kalin Atkins, a senior at Wood Memorial High School in Oakland City.
Family members describe him as a varsity baseball player and fun loving kid, who just liked to have a good time.
"He was funny. You'd describe him as the class clown, caring. If you were his friend, you were cared for," Shelby Georges said, a senior and classmate of Atkins. "The last thing we all remember him saying was kissing his girlfriend and telling her he'd be back and that he loved her."
Atkins and Wood Memorial junior Kyle Butts were headed to Pike Central Monday afternoon for a 3 hour welding class.
Authorities say their SUV hydroplaned and spun them into the path of a truck on State Road 61.
Atkins was the passenger. He was killed on impact.
"Kalin was a wonderful person, and just put a hundred percent into everything that he did. He will be missed tremendously and my prayers and thoughts are so much for the family," said Reverend Pat McCandless, a family friend.
The driver of the vehicle was 18-year-old Kyle Butts of Francisco.
Butts is described as a caring friend and football player. Right now, he is listed in critical condition at Deaconess Hospital.
"My prayers are with him as well. I'm praying that he pulls out and that the school can heal," McCandless said.
"We'll all miss Kalin greatly and we hope that Kyle recovers and is back to school soon," Georges said.
All after school activities were canceled Monday, but school officials say those activities at Wood Memorial are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday.
Wood Memorial officials also say they are enacting a crisis plan and bringing in counselors for students. They say ministers, Youth First experts, and school counselors will be at the school starting at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.
"If they should just need to talk to us or come in as groups or individuals, we will have plenty of people to assist with that, "said Wood Memorial guidance counselor Kelly Hill.
Counselors are also expected to be available at Pike Central if they are needed.
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Kalin Atkins. (Source: Kelly Hill, Wood Memorial High School)
Kyle Butts
