HARROGATE, Tenn. - They were planning an evening of fun and excitement at a dance, but students in Lincoln Memorial University's Upward Bound program instead were involved in a fatal crash that killed two people and injured 47 others.

A collision between a tour bus carrying the students and a pickup truck occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 25E and Highway 131 in Grainger County, Tennessee's Thorn Hill community - just over the Claiborne County line. Both the driver and a passenger in the pickup truck were killed. They have been identified as Gary Leaster, 51, of Newport and his father-in-law Dale Hinzman, Sr., 70, of Leavittsburg, Ohio.

“Witnesses in the lead bus said the pickup pulled out in front of the bus and it was amazing that the bus driver was able to keep the bus upright and the students as safe as he could,” according to Judy Beal, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services for LMU.

A witness at the scene reported that the pickup was completely underneath the bus, according to WVLT-TV in Knoxville.

The students were on tour buses headed toward Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., where they were to participate in the joint activity with Tusculum's Upward Bound students. High school students, college students serving as peer mentors in the program and adult chaperones were on board the buses.

The driver and five passengers on the bus were transported by ambulance to the hospital, according to Kate Reagan, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for LMU. Fifteen students were transported by bus to the hospital in Hamblen County and 26 students were transported by bus to Claiborne County Hospital.

“There didn't appear to be any life-threatening injuries - there were a lot of bumps and bruises. We took them to the hospital as a precaution,” Beal said.

School buses and vans were dispatched to return the students to the LMU campus in Harrogate, and all of the students' parents were contacted.

“A few parents have picked their children up, but we have suggested the students stay on campus to support each other,” Beal said, adding that counselors were to be on hand both last night and today.

Upward Bound is a federally-funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. At LMU, approximately 150 students participate in the program, which is active throughout the school year. During the summer portion the students stay on campus from Memorial Day into July, with a break for a week-long trip - this year to New York City.

LMU's Upward Bound program serves students in the tri-state area. Participating students are from Bell County in Ky., Lee County in Va., and Claiborne, Scott, Morgan, Campbell, Union and Hancock Counties in Tenn.

Marisa Anders is Managing Editor for the Daily News. She can be reached via e-mail at manders@middlesborodailynews.com.