THREE cheerleaders have died on Christmas Day and a fourth is seriously injured after their vehicle lost control and veered into an oak tree.
Addyson Martin, Emilee Fain, Cassidy Dunn, all 16, were all sitting in the front seat of a small SUV when it was believed the driver swerved to avoid a deer..
The teens died and two girls in the back were badly injured.
Police say the five girls from Geneva County, Alabama, had all been together at a Christmas gathering and were driving to someone else’s home when the accident happened.
Lt Michael McDuffie said: “We’re not sure for what reason they lost control, but it hit a big oak tree.
“It could have been a deer ran out in front of them.”
Police Chief Tony Clemmons posted on the department’s Facebook page asking for people to pray for several devastated families in the town.
The city school system announced on Facebook that First Baptist Church of Geneva was opening its sanctuary, and ministers and counsellors would be available.
Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson said the tragedy was “just awful”.
None of the girls’ families have yet made a public statement.
The two girls who were injured have not been named.
The one of them had to be airlifted from the scene. She is expected to recover.
