<p>I don’t mean to overshadow the tragic death of a Duke U. student as posted here in the Parents Cafe, but I am still overwhelmed by the fact that yet another (now the FIFTH) Rice U. Student has died this academic year. For a school with only about 2800 undergrads and 1800 grad students, this has been devastating to the Rice community. The first death, a car accident, occurred within the first week of school. The second was the sudden death of a football player who collapsed on the field. This was followed by another car accident death of a grad student (MBA) who had also graduated from Rice undergrad (car was driven by another recent Rice undergrad/MBA grad). With in the past 2 weeks, 2 additional deaths occurred- one the morning of “beer-bike” (cause still undetermined) and the most recent just the other day, when a Rice basketball player was celebrating his birthday with his twin brother. Someone said something inappropriate to one of the brothers, which led to a fight. The twins were stabbed-- both taken to the hospital where the Rice student died. </p>
<p>The slightly weird part of all this is that there are currently only 9 residential Colleges at Rice, and each of the 6 students described above (the 5 deaths and the driver of the car involved in the second accident) were each from a different Residential college (Weiss, Lovett, Jones, Hanszen, Baker and Sid Rich).</p>
<p>On a happier note, I am glad to report that my s. is making steady recovery from his broken leg, sustained 5 weeks ago. Yesterday in physical therapy he was permitted to put slight weight on his leg. If all continues to progress, he will hopefully be fully weight-bearing in a few more weeks. Still in a scooter and on crutches, but compared to all these other tragedies, I count my blessings.</p>
<p>OMG, jym, I can’t even imagine this much devastation in ONE year for the Rice “family.” I am SO sorry to read about the deaths of these five young people. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of each of the precious young people, their friends, and their communities.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear that your son is making progress with his recovery! I’ll bet he can’t WAIT to be able to bear weight on his leg and shed the scooter and crutches, but tell him not to rush it! Hopefully he’ll be back to a relatively normal state within a few more weeks. I’ll be sending him healing vibes!</p>
<p>Take care, jym…I’m sure all of this bad news has been terribly difficult on you. {{{{{{{gentle hugs}}}}}}}</p>
<p>Yes, the Rice community has endured a number of tragic deaths this year. It really must be devastating for such a small community.</p>
<p>But just to clarify one fact for those not familiar with the circumstances, the stabbing death occurred in College Station, not near the Rice campus.</p>
<p>Yes, blackeyedsusan. thanks for adding that- I forgot to mention that. The basketball player was a junior transfer to Rice. I am guessing his brother goes to college in College Station. Do you know?</p>
<p>Yes - this has been a tragic year for Rice. Just to clarify…the first car accident also didn’t occur in Houston; the freshman was actually driving to his home. And I think that the freshman football player collapsed at training… (I can’t remember…was it a undiagnosed heart problem?) Jym626 I’m glad your son is improving so quickly. :)</p>
<p>Anxiousmom-
The football player, I believe, was found to have had some undiagnosed sickle cell variant, or something similar that caused an acute collapse. Actually, the team rallied in his memory after his death (it was right after the trouncing by FSU) won most if not all of the rest of the season, ans went to a bowl game for the first time on like 30+ years (where they got trounced by Troy State).</p>
<p>Berurah, I haven’t heard an update on the status of the surviving twin, but Ibelieve the last report said he was in fair condition.</p>
<p>Berurah-
I haven’t been able to find much about the status of Janson. What I did find said he had been stabbed twice in the chest and when admitted to the hospital a week ago was listed in fair condition. I would imagine he’s been discharged my now.</p>
<p>Update-
My s tells me that Parker Redman, the boy who was found dead the morning of beer-bike had had a problem with cardiac arrythmias in the fall. Preliminary results of the autopsy suggest that his death was a cardiac event. So sad…</p>
<p>A scaled- down version of beer-bike is rescheduled for tomorrow.</p>
Just to clarify…the first car accident also didn’t occur in Houston; the freshman was actually driving to his home. And I think that the freshman football player collapsed at training… (I can’t remember…was it a undiagnosed heart problem?) Jym626 I’m glad your son is improving so quickly. :)</p>