An update to the awful news that we first reported on late last night concerning US metalcore group The Ghost Inside. As originally reported last night, the band were travelling through Texas on their US tour when their bus suffered a horrific collision with an 18 wheel truck. At the time, reports suggested that the band were all alive and OK, but that there had been fatalities in the crash and we now have further updates, which are mostly not good.
First of all, we can confirm the incredibly sad news that both the driver of The Ghost Inside’s tour bus and the driver of the truck passed away as a result of the crash. However Local Fox affiliate station KFoxTV has since issued a report that three of the band – Andrew Tkaczykt, Jonathan Vigil and Zach Johnson all suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash. Andrew Tkaczykt’s brother Nick confirmed what had happened to Andrew with a post online late last night:
“For those not in the know, my brother Andrew was airlifted to the hospital this morning after his bus was involved in an accident. He is alive, however he has suffered head trauma, as well as broken bones in his lower extremities, and a shoulder injury. He is currently in ICU and may require surgery.
“Please give us all your prayers, thoughts, whatever it is that you do, as we need it.
“I ask out of respect to contact me instead of my other family members with any questions or inquiries, as I will handle it due to my parents being extremely distraught right now. Thank you.”
The KFoxTV report also suggests that two of the other people who were on the bus at the time are in a critical condition in hospital. That full report from KFoxTV can be read here.
The band issued a very brief statement last night confirming what had happened, and the (inevitable) cancellation of the rest of their tour:
“Thanks to everyone who reached out with concern today. The Ghost Inside was involved in a serious bus accident outside El Paso, TX this morning. All 5 band members + all members of the crew are alive and currently being treated for their injuries. Please keep them in your thoughts as well as their bus driver and those in the other vehicle who did not make it. Unfortunately, all US shows on the Locals Only Tour are cancelled. Refunds available at point of purchase. We will update you more when we can.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with the funeral expenses for the band’s driver, the band’s medical bills and the costs of replacing all the equipment lost or damaged in the crash. As most people would immediately appreciate all these things together will amount to a large amount of expenses so if anyone has any money they would like to donate they can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/aqb5umd8.
Bring Me The Horizon have stepped up to the plate for TGI, who they describe as their good friends and donated 10,000 dollars towards the campaign. At time of posting this update, almost $30,000 of the $40,000 target has been raised inside the first 24 hours. If there are any further significant updates on this story we will bring them to our readers over the weekend and beyond.