Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday, June 1, to honor the three victims who lost their lives last week in a Colorado mudslide.
Hundreds arrive, some parking miles away, at memorial ceremony for the Collbran mudslide victims. #MCmudslide pic.twitter.com/uEIn5K0bMD
— The Denver Post (@denverpost) June 2, 2014
Image via Twitter from The Denver Post
Plateau Valley School in the Collbran area was packed with people who wanted to say goodbye and pay their respects to the victims, 46-year-old Wesley Hawkins, and father and son Clancy and Danny Nichols, ages 51 and 24, respectively.
According to KDVR.com, Wesley Hawkins' wife spoke at the memorial.
“He left that day with only one thought in mind… to take care of his community and keep the people safe,” he said. “I love you, Wesley, you are my true love.”
The Associated Press reports that the three men were checking on irrigation problems that the previous slide had caused, when a large piece of a ridge broke off and sent cement-like mud sliding over them. None of the bodies have been found.
Eulogies were read for each of the three victims. Fighting back tears, relatives spoke and thanked responders who showed up at the scene of the slide.
About 200 family members and 800 friends and supporters were reportedly present for the memorial.