Family Shares Memory of USU Student Killed in Bike Accident

(KUTV) The family of the Utah State University student who was killed after riding his bicycle into a slackline on Monday opened up about the 24-year-olds life.The guy was a funny guy, just a comic, and wonderful to be around, Eric Scott Andersons father, Carvel, said. He loved life. He loved his friends. His friends loved him.Eric was light-hearted and silly. A senior studying music, he played trumpet in the university marching band and had a deep passion for his church, serving a mission in Lansing, Mich. His sisters dog was also a big part of his life.He loved that dog. Even when he was on his mission, we would have Toby sing to him on the phone, when he would call on Mothers Day, his mother, Gayle, said of Toby, who howls when the trumpet is played.USU Police Chief Steve Mecham said Eric was riding down Old Main Hill on the first day of classes, when he ran into the slackline, a rope that students tied between two trees to balance and walk on. The line was suspended to chest-height and Eric most likely didnt see it, he said. He suffered severe injuries and neither bystanders nor doctors could resuscitate him.When the doctor called me Monday, I thought it was a joke, and then I thought, Okay, it cant be serious, Carvel said, And they told me there was no pulse. And I was just, No, no, it cant be. This cant happen to our family.The family loaded up three cars and headed to Logan to see Eric, visit where he died and pack up his possessions.He looked so very, very good and peaceful, Carvel said of visiting his son at the mortuary. He looked handsome. He loved to have people run [their] fingers through his hair, so we did that.The Andersons are coming to peace with Erics death and harbor no resentment for the students involved in slacklining.They shouldve done something to put cones or put tape or whatever, but it was an accident. Thats all it was. It was just an accident, and we understand. No hard feelings, Carvel said. Be careful next time, but we know it was just an accident.Erics parents and siblings have stayed strong by being together and making decisions as a whole family. The support from the community has been overwhelmingly helpful, they said.When people are praying for us, it makes such a difference, Gayle said.But the tragedy has seemed, at times, surreal, for the tight-knit family. Eric was the sixth child of eight kids. Nearly the entire family lives close to one another and, even though each child is grown, they all gather for Sunday dinners.We feel like were going to have him closer to us now that his spirit is with us and hes not in Logan, Erics eldest sister, Rebekah Carter said.His brother Wayne said Eric told him he was considering becoming a high school band director. That was just one of many options the young man with a bright future held, Wayne said.His final act was to leave life for others, as we found out that he was a donor. So there were some parts he was able to donate to other people, Carvel said. We're proud of him, we love him and we miss him.The family is honoring Erics love of music by wearing his band shirts and his hat.He was so happy here on earth, but, to know how happy he is there, I cant even imagine, said Erics sister Emily, the youngest child. USU will play its first game of the season against the University of Utah on Thursday night. The band will keep one position empty in Erics honor.The family has set up the Eric S. Anderson Memorial Fund at America First Credit Union (Account 9062159) to help pay for funeral and burial expenses. Donations can be made at the credit union or transferred online. Those wishing to send checks payable to the fund should mail them to P.O. Box 9199 Ogden, UT 94409. By Christine McCarthy(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)