GIBSON CO., IN (WFIE) -
Hundreds gathered on the Wood Memorial's baseball diamond for a prayer vigil in Oakland City where 18-year-old Kalin Atkins played ball.
There wasn't a dry eye as friends and family members shared stories about Kalin and shared prayers for his family.
They gathered in left field where Kalin played as an outfielder for the Wood Memorial Trojans.
"Kalin was a real personable young man. He was very friendly. I always felt he had a good attitude. He was a good baseball player," Wood Memorial Athletic Director, Steve Kilian said.
Students, teachers, and people from the tight knit community held candles and formed a large circle around the Atkins family to show their support.
"Obviously with the turnout here, it shows the respect for him and they are just trying to show the same respect back to him that he showed to other people," Kilian said.
Atkin's girlfriend shared stories of Kalin, along with Kalin's fellow baseball players. One by one, those from Mackey, Francisco, and Oakland City also shared their thoughts.
Prayers were not only for the family, but for the truck driver and 18-year-old Kyle Butts, who were also involved in the accident.
Butts, a Wood Memorial junior, is still in the hospital. He is now stable condition at Deaconess Hospital. We are told surgery went well and that he is alert and talking.
"It's tough on these kids, obviously also on the staff and parents, because it's a small school. Everybody knows everybody. It's a small community," Kilian said.
A small community that united as one Tuesday.
Flowers with candles were placed on the field. The school's athletic director says the baseball team plans to honor the senior this spring.
Visitation is set for Wednesday, and funeral arrangements are set for Thursday.
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Students, teachers, and people from this tight knit community held candles and formed a large circle around the Atkin's family to show their support.
Atkin's girlfriend shared stories of Kalin, along with Kalin's fellow baseball players.
Kalin Atkins
Kyle Butts
