Service held to remember 6 church members killed in bus crash in TN

STATESVILLE, N.C. — There were tears, hugs, music and prayers for the victims of a fatal bus crash in Tennessee.

Visitors to Front Street Baptist on Sunday were reflecting on the lives of the six church members who died. The members ranged in age from 66 to 95.

Channel 9 was told that many of them had been friends for decades.

On Wednesday, an 18-member church group was returning from a trip to Tennessee. Investigators said a tire on the bus failed, which caused the bus to careen into a median, and crash into an SUV and a tractor-trailer just outside of Knoxville.

Eight people, including the six church members, were killed. Twelve others were taken to local hospitals.

"Since it happened, we've been coming down here.  When they said Front Street Baptist, I'm like, 'That's up the street from my house,' so we came right on down here when it happened," said Statesville resident Latasha Starks.

Ministers encouraged the community to pray on Sunday for everyone impacted by the tragedy. Several people from the neighborhood turned out to show their support.

There are still several people still recovering from injuries from this crash. The church's pastor thanked the community for their overwhelming support.

WSOC