Tragedy struck Saturday amidst a week-long LGBT Pride celebration in Anchorage, Alaska, when 50-year-old registered nurse James L. Crump was killed in an auto accident while walking in the city’s PrideFest parade.
Crump, who worked for the city department of Health and Human Services, was walking alongside a convertible driven by Edith Bailey, 70, and bearing Grand Marshal Doug Frank. The parade had only just begun when Bailey began to struggle with the accelerator of the 1971 Triumph Stag, causing the vehicle to lurch forward.
The Anchorage Daily News reports that the convertible hit Crump when Bailey accelerated, and that he failed to respond after rescuers attempted to revive him with CPR.
Frank, who witnessed the accident, explained that Bailey simply panicked once the car began lurching forward.
“It’s a pure accident,” he told reporters.
In the wake of Crump’s tragic death, organizers cancelled the parade. Although other Pride activities throughout the city continued as scheduled, participants noted a more somber, low-key mood across the board as news of the accident spread throughout Anchorage.
Eric Van Dogen, a PrideFest attendee, told the Daily News that despite New York’s recent gay marriage victory and the jubilation many Pride participants brought to the weekend’s events, it was difficult to maintain enthusiasm after learning of Crump’s accident.
“I think people are just a little more humble about being here,” Van Dogen said. “it can be kind of wild and festive, and I think people are just thankful that we are all together.
