Last week a crash from the Ghost Inside tour bus took the lives of two people and injured twelve others, El Paso, Texas. Even though local authorities do not know how the crash occurred, what they do know is that tour bus was traveling west when it struck the semi. However, the driver of the tour bus, Gregory Hoke and the driver of the semi, Steven Cunningham, did not make it following the aftermath of the incident. Members of the Ghost Inside were lucky they made it out, but not so lucky with the cost, Andrew Tkaczykt, Jonathan Vigil and Zach Johnson from Ghost Inside were sent to University Medical Center and reported to be in critical condition. Nick Tkaczykt, Andrew’s brother, posted online that Andrew suffered head trauma and broken bones in the lower portion of his body along with a broken shoulder. Charles Anthony Billings and Danny Lupio are also in serious condition as well. All band members have shown great improvement in health and spirits the past two days following the accident. Riley posted on social media on behalf of the band that everyone is in better spirits and in good health. Johnson posted on Facebook that he underwent 26 hours of surgery due to the injures resulted from the accident that affected his feet, legs, and hips.
Crew members Nathan Wilden, Armando Cardona, Timothy Irons, Jim Riley, and Chris Davis are stable. “Thanks to everyone who reached out with concern today. The Ghost Inside was involved in a serious bus accident outside El Paso, TX this morning. All 5 band members and all members of the crew are alive and currently being treated for their injuries,” said Ghost Inside following the accident, “[…] Unfortunately, all US shows on the Locals Only Tour are cancelled. Refunds available at point of purchase. We will update you more when we can.”
Bring Me The Horizon donated to the gofundme page for Ghost Inside’s medical bills and loss of equipment, even funeral costs for the tour bus driver and semi truck driver who did not make it. The goal is to reach $125,000 dollars to cover everything. So far, the page for donations has exceeded its limits and the band has earned well over $125,000 at the current moment. Fans of Ghost Inside can also contribute to the donation by going to the page.
In a post-Thanksgiving Facebook message, the band stated that they were able to enjoy a holiday meal in a local hotel near El Paso away from the hospital and had a good time with relatives who traveled all the way to the city to meet with their injured loved ones. Although most of the travelers were close family and friends of the bands members, there was a lot of complaining about how long it took to get to El Paso and how far it was from home that everything happened. “Our families that are here aren’t used to being ‘on the road’ and although the circumstances couldn’t be less ideal, this holiday will always be a special one for us, a genuine day of giving thanks for the gift of life we have been given,” said the members of Ghost Inside. The band went on to share the amount of injuries that everyone sustained in the crash, a list of badly broken legs and ankles, cracked pelvises, and fractured vertebrae, and also wished the family members of the semi driver and tour bus driver healing hands and for their loss.
Recently, Epitaph CEO and Founder Brett Gurewitz sent a letter to the fans stating that Brett will give all the album profits to Ghost Inside directly to help pay for their medical bills. Even though the funding account has earned money between $125-150,000, it is not enough to cover everything else. According to Gurewitz, all the profits from Ghost Inside albums sold this year, worldwide and nationwide, will be sent to the band in a big fat envelope to cover the rest of the expenses. Fans who wish to help out can buy from Epitaph Records website.
Yesterday as we came offstage we heard that our good friends in The Ghost Inside were involved in a terrible collision…
Posted by BRING ME THE HORIZON on Friday, November 20, 2015
Thank you, thank you, thank you. pic.twitter.com/6ooXyKkvwR
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJayDTD) December 1, 2015