Council Rock High School Community Mourns Death Of 3 Local Teens
By Brad Segall , Steve Patterson and Diana Rocco
HOLLAND, Pa. (CBS) --- The grieving process is underway in the Council Rock School District in Bucks County where three teenagers were killed over the holiday weekend in a one-car crash in the Poconos.
Sophomore students Cullen Keffer, Shamus Digney, Ryan Lesher were killed late Saturday morning when the Suburban SUV the boys were passengers in flipped in Paupack Township - about 70 miles North of Philadelphia -- where Ryan's family had a home.
Despite the Labor Day holiday, Council Rock High School South was open for a few hours for students, staff, and families to begin coping with the tragedy that rocked this community just days before school bells ring in the new year.
Grief counseling was made available at the school. Principal Al Funk knew the three teens well.
"It's just three bright lights, three tremendous individuals who shared their gifts and talents with Council Rock High School South, and you know those bright lights were extinguished way too soon," Funk said. "They were three fine young men. Student athletes, great families, academically they did outstanding work."
A fourth friend survived the crash, along with two other unnamed juveniles.
"There's no words for it. It's just an unspeakable loss and a terrible sorrow that we feel," said Superintendent Mark Kleine. "At least this opportunity is an opportunity for kids to be here without the structure of school and the schedules."
The entire Council Rock South basketball team showed up at Ryan's home with carnations for his mother Monday.
The school was set to open Tuesday for ninth graders, and a vigil was planned for outside of the high school starting at 7:30 p.m. to remember the teens. Classes for grades 10 through 12 were scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
State police are still investigating the crash.
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