The Myrtle Beach Academy has lost a bright star today. Marc Chaplin, a senior at the school, was killed within a short distance of the Academy, when his motorcycle collided with a North Myrtle Beach school bus at 8:10 this morning.
Marc’s death sent shock waves through the school, where he was well liked. There was a lot of sobbing and hugging at the Academy today. Many left school in the morning, unable to contain their grief.
Tomorrow many of Marc’s friends will wear purple in his honor. Marc and his buddies had a “purple shirt” day every week.
The bus driver involved in the collision will be asked some hard questions and possibly prosecuted for manslaughter. The details of the accident are not yet out, but one of my daughter’s friends, who used to ride the bus driven by him, stopped taking that bus because she was afraid of his driving.
Marc’s friends have created a Facebook Group in his honor. Marc was wearing a helmet, and he had a reputation for being a very careful driver, but a motorcycle is a dangerous thing… If we can do anything constructive with this deep sadness, let it be spreading the word about how dangerous motorcycles are.
My heart goes out to Marc’s parents. Losing your child has to be Life’s most tormenting pain. There are no words to describe the deep sorrow of our entire community for the loss of this lovely young man. May he rest in peace!
Mirela Monte
7 comments • Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte • November 03 2009 12:00AM
So tragic. So very, very tragic! Such a lovely young man gone! My heart goes out to the parents. I have no words to describe the sorrow I feel for their extreme loss.
Mirela, this is very sad. Marc's family and friends must be devastated. It's terrible to loose someone so young with a full life ahead.
I just found out that the bus driver was 76 years old.
I can't believe the school district hires someone of that age to drive kids to school. There ought to be a law against that. No one past retirement age should drive these school buses. We spend so much money on trivial stuff, yet we "economize" when it comes to paying teachers and school bus drivers... What kind of logic is that?
It is always sad to hear about kids passing away so young. Always makes me wonder what a bright and well liked kid would accomplish in their lifetimes. We will never know. Wonderful to see that he had so many caring friends.
What a terrible, possibly preventable tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
That is tragic. My heart goes out to Marc's family and friends.
After looking at pictures and reading about Marc's death, I feel like I got to know a very talented and well liked young man. He must have enjoyed his friends immensly and had an adorable personality. My daughter is 18 and is studying to be an engineer also. She graduated this year and went to the ATA in Conway. I worry about her on the road coming from Spartanburg Methodist College, and can't even imagine how Marc's parents feel, but my heart goes out to them and we will pray for his family and friends.