Columbia State professor missing in Brazil, 3 Tennessee community college students injured
The professor and three students were swept away when they were struck by a wave while walking on an oceanside road. The students were rescued by Brazilian officials.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Columbia State Community College professor on a study abroad program in Brazil is missing after being swept away by a wave while walking along an oceanside road when the wave struck him.
Three students on the trip, two from Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville and one from Walters State Community College in Morristown, were rescued by Brazilian authorities, the Tennessee Board of Regents, the organization that oversees Tennessee community colleges, said in a statement.
“Search and rescue operations by Brazilian authorities were launched immediately and, I understand, are still underway,” Rick Locker, a spokesman for the Board of Regents, said. “We are hoping and praying that the professor is found safe.”
The professor’s name has not been released.
“Our college family was greatly saddened to hear of the tragic accident that happened on the TnCIS study abroad trip in Brazil,” Columbia State Community College President Dr. Janet F. Smith said in a statement. “We are thankful that no students were seriously injured. Our thoughts and prayers remain with our professor and family as we await additional information from Brazilian search and rescue efforts.”
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The students and professor are among a group of 12 Tennessee community college students on a study abroad program in Brazil. Of the 12, eight are from Pellissippi State, two are from Columbia State, one from Walters State and one from Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis.
The three students who were swept away by the waves were not seriously injured when the wave struck.
“It’s my understanding that the three students and a professor were walking along an oceanside road and stopped to take their photographs along either boulders or a wall when the wave hit them,” Locker said.
Locker said the students are being provided counseling, and early transportation home has been arranged. The original dates for the study were May 6-May 27, 2024. The students were scheduled to visit locations in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
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