Global News has spoken with a Calgary woman who was on campus at Ohio State University when nine people were injured and the alleged perpetrator killed Monday morning.
READ MORE: Ohio State attacker injures 9 after driving into crowd, stabbing spree
This is Krissy Irwin’s fifth year at the university where she is studying psychology.
Irwin told Global Calgary she was studying in her apartment on south campus Monday morning when she started getting text messages and news alerts that the campus was locked down.
She described how the university started alerting students almost immediately. “The first text we got was hide, run, and if the worst comes to worst-in the worst case scenario-fight. So they communicated what is absolutely needed. That really helped.”
Irwin described on-going communication from the university throughout the event, and credits them for keeping students safe.
“Then a series of texts rolled in. Stay away from North Campus. Or don’t go near this intersection or parking garage.”
She said there was a heavy police presence as well as firetrucks and ambulances on campus for hours.
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In the hours after the incident, Irwin was still shocked that she was there. “Something this big to happen on campus, in this way…it was shocking.”
“I can’t believe that I’m here for this event in history. It’s going to take me a while to come to grips with that.”
Irwin was one of many students who went immediately to social media to let friends know she was okay. She also said she was touched by the number of people who contacted her from all over the world. “My sister gave me a call and my parents texted me right away. Friends from Calgary and BC.”
“I’ve never had so many people respond to me ever, which is really comforting.”
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