Just a month before passing away in a tragic car crash, Grace Rett had beaten the odds by setting a world rowing record.
In December, the then-19-year-old broke the world record for rowing the longest, rowing 62 hours and 3 seconds. With that feat, she rowed the distance of more than 382,000 meters (which is about 237 miles). At the time, she boasted: “Records are made to be broken.”
On Wednesday, those who knew the 20-year-old as a tenacious, giving athlete were in shock that she would never have a chance to break another record. The Holy Cross sophomore was killed Wednesday when the van transporting her and several other women’s rowing teammates and coaches collided with a pickup truck in Vero Beach, Florida.
»MORE: College student killed, 12 others injured after Florida crash involving rowing team
By Thursday morning, three people were still in critical condition suffering injuries from the crash and two were listed in good condition, a Lawnwood Regional Medical Center spokeswoman told the Boston Globe.
"Today, our community is faced with unimaginable tragedy and devastating loss," Holy Cross athletic director Marcus Blossom said in a statement. "Everyone who knew Grace was touched by her warm heart, tenacious work ethic and inspirational drive."
Six students, the driver of the pickup truck and a coach were hospitalized, but it was unclear which victims were still in critical or serious condition. The school’s men’s rowing team set up a GoFundMe to help cover the medical expenses for the women’s rowing team members affected by the crash. As of Thursday afternoon, the fund had raised $112,000 of the $200,000 goal.
Several on Facebook sent well-wishes to those students recovering Thursday, with Facebook user Derek Ward posting images and tributes to some of the students who are presumably still hospitalized.
Most of the victims have not been named, but, according to NBC’s Boston10 news station, one of the victims is Maggie O’Leary, the daughter of Waterbury, Connecticut, Mayor Neil O’Leary.
Others shared their memories of Rett, who was a native of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and was majoring in English at Holy Cross.
“Heartbroken beyond,” read a Facebook post from Jodie Thornton. “You were a shining light Grace Rett. Grace you truly were a shining star with the heart and determination of a lion. Thank you for being such a great friend and role model to my girls.”
Officials are still investigating the crash to determine whether any charges will be issued.
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