Athens man killed in Mexican tour bus crash

ATHENS, Tennessee (WDEF) – A family from Athens, Tennessee was on the tour bus that flipped in Mexico, killing 12 people on Tuesday.

St. Mary Catholic Church says member Bob Bever was killed and his wife and two girls injured in the crash.

They were part of a Royal Caribbean cruise on a day trip visiting Mayan ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Bishop Richard F. Stika, with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville, issued this statement:

“The St. Mary’s Parish family and many of us in the Diocese of Knoxville were saddened to hear about Mr. Bever’s unexpected and tragic death while on a family trip in Mexico this week. Bob was active in the Knights of Columbus, was an usher at his parish church in Athens, and was active in the Catholic Church in a variety of other ways.  I have asked our diocese to join me in praying for the recovery of Bob’s wife, Barbara, and his daughters Gina and Stephanie.”

Officials now say that skid marks on the highway seem to show the tour bus was speeding.

Royal Caribbean said it’s doing all it can to help its guests, including medical assistance and transportation.

The two cruise ships have left to return to Florida.

Eight Americans are among the 12 people killed in a tourist bus crash in Mexico. Three Americans who died were from the same family. @BojorquezCBS reports: https://t.co/KOGkJhKClb pic.twitter.com/1PjGUEnCFP

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) December 21, 2017