Grief counselors at Winamac Community Schools, GoFundMe created to help victim's family

WINAMAC, Ind. – The Winamac Community continues to mourn Thursday after a deadly school bus crash killed a Winamac Community Middle School student.

Owen Abbott, an eighth grader, died when a truck hit the bus he was riding in on US 31 in Marshall County Wednesday morning.

Grief counselors, pastors, and others will be at the school today to help the students, staff, and parents affected by the tragedy. The school superintendent also asked the community to continue praying for Owen’s family and the district.  

Owen’s mother told ABC57 he loved to hunt and play baseball.

A local pastor said this is a tragedy that affects the entire community.

“This is going to have rippling effects throughout the community,” said Winamac Nazarene Church pastor Tanner Griffin. “It’s not just a few families that are going to be working through this, it’s going to be a whole community that’s going to need support and encouragement.”

But through the grief, comes support.

A family friend set up a GoFundMe to help Owen’s family pay for funeral and other expenses. Owen’s mother confirmed to ABC57 that the GoFundMe is legitimate.

As of 7 a.m. on Thursday, it has raised more than $1,700.

If you would like to donate, click here.