Band Members Fight for Life After Horrific Crash
Six band members of A City Serene hurt in wreck on the Grapevine
By ERIC S. PAGE
Updated 12:01 PM PST, Wed, Sep 16, 2009
All six members of a local band were badly injured after their tour bus was T-boned on the Grapevine over the weekend.
A City Serene, a screamo/post-hardcore/rock band based in San Diego, were headed north on Interstate 5 on Sunday at about 3:30 p.m in their school-bus type vehicle when the crash occurred, according to the California Highway Patrol. The owner of the bus said the band was going to a show they had booked in San Jose at the time of the accident.
According to a CHP spokesman, a Ford pickup headed south became airborne and flew over the center divider. The truck clipped a Honda Civic, then went broadside into the band's bus. Another Honda behind the bus then struck the undercarriage after the bus tipped over.
Officials said seven people in all were hurt in the crash. The six musicians were taken by air ambulances to hospitals in Mission Hills, Bakersfield and Valencia.
The band members listed on A City Serene's Web site include singers Xander Bourgeois and Carly Baker, guitarists Kris Renfro and Michael Sherman, bassist/vocalist Marc Koch and drummer Mike Buxbaum.
According to a family member of one of the victims, two of the band members are clinging to life and are currently in comas. The other band members suffered serious injuries ranging from severe concussions to broken bones.
"After a day and half of no sleep for myself, and all the band's families, we are all still in absolute shock," the band's manager said on A City Serene's MySpace page. "We can't go into too many details, but some of the band members are doing better than others. Right now, I can't stress how important it is for you to help spread the word about the band, their situation, and do anything you possibly can to help raise money for their families. The accident took place near Bakersfield and the whole ACS crew will be up there for a while and it will be expensive."
CHP Officer Patrick Etchebarne said that all six people riding in the bus broke bones in the wreck.
"It looks like maybe the occupants were not wearing their seat belts," Etchebarne said.
Friends said the band members met each other while growing up in Clairemont.
"As of now, we just got to keep waiting and hope for the best and keep them in our thoughts,"said friend Danielle Behnke.
A benefit concert is going to be held on Oct. 3 at Soma in the Midway District.
First Published: Sep 15, 2009 3:56 PM PST
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