By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

The Vandegrift band trailer carrying instruments heading to state was struck earlier this month by a freight train. No one was hurt in the November 3 accident. Instruments were damaged and people were shaken but the students performed just hours later in San Antonio. No students witnessed the accident, which happened because the trailer got stuck on the train track.

“The truck sank down into a patch of fresh asphalt that was not marked by the city,” said Jarrett Lipman, VHS director of bands. “This was a traditional railroad crossing used by the band in the past and other bands for the contest. Unfortunately, VHS’s trailer, ‘Black Pearl,’ got stuck.”

The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. at Carolina Street and Hoefgen Avenue.

Charlie Little, Vandegrift principal, updated the Viper community in a message that Monday afternoon. 

“Our VHS band tractor trailer was travelling in San Antonio to support our Marching Band at the UIL State Competition became stranded on train tracks and was struck by a moving train,” Little shared. “No students were present or witnessed the accident, and both driver and passenger were able to successfully and safely exit the tractor trailer before impact. It is important to note that this route would not have been part of the bus route driven by our student buses, and the students were already dropped at the Alamodome at the time of the accident.”

Some instruments were damaged from the impact of the crash.

“We lost several marimbas and vibraphones, bells, timpani, some auxiliary percussion, several microphones, and a few of the brass instruments were damaged,” Lipman said. “However, we were truly fortunate. If the train had hit just a few feet to the left or right, the destruction would’ve been significantly more catastrophic. The bulk of the wind instruments and sound equipment survived.”

Lipman said that he and his team jumped to action once they heard what happened. Leander ISD helped as did other schools.

“Our primary concern upon learning about the accident was making sure everyone was safe, and there had been no injuries. After checking on everyone, we wanted to keep the students calm and ensure our families did not panic,” Lipman said. 

They quickly divided up as a team of directors and parents, and went to work. First responders, EMS, the San Antonio Fire Department and the San Antonio Police Department were incredible through this devastating situation.

“They helped us unload as much equipment off ‘Black Pearl’ as we could, provided some tractors to get things back to the Dome, and then gave us an escort to get everything back and unloaded for the students,” Lipman said. “UIL was extremely accommodating, allowing us to perform later, and we were supported by so many other bands at the contest.”

The Leander ISD administration coordinated with sister schools, Cedar Park and Leander, to help get the Leander band trailer down Monday, and secure the Cedar Park band trailer for Tuesday. 

The VHS band also had assistance from Flower Mound HS, Ronald Reagan HS, Claudia Taylor Johnson HS, Seven Lakes HS, Timber Creek HS, with offers of support coming in from many others. 

“It was truly humbling how quickly everyone moved to support our students and community,” Lipman said. 

Despite the chaos, Vandegrift students took the field that night and again Tuesday. Lipman said they got through the challenge.

“Keeping calm and staying focused on solving one problem at a time. Great communication, focus, and the culture of our community coming together to meet any challenge all played a role here,” Lipman said.

He said students were adaptable and flexible, and remained composed through it all. 

“We say all the time, ‘when things are at their worst, leaders have to be at their best.’ Our parents and students were truly at their best during this difficult moment,” Lipman said.

The Monday night performance happened at 9:15 p.m. Lipman described it as emotional and inspiring. “There was a time many of the students didn’t know if we’d actually get to perform, and seeing it come together so quickly, made it very emotional for everyone involved.”

Then Tuesday’s finals run was another level better, clearer, and more representative of their best efforts,” Lipman said. “They did their best on Tuesday and given the crazy circumstances, we couldn’t be prouder.”

The band ultimately earned the bronze medal, marking its fifth straight year medaling at the state level.