The "Survivor" community is dealing with the sudden death of former contestant Caleb Bankston, 26, who tragically lost his life in a train derailment accident at the Alabama Warrior Railway, People magazine reports.
Details of what caused the accident are still unclear but officials of Watco Companies LLC told the Associated Press that one of their employees died but would not confirm the name. The officials also said that the deceased employee's team members were "being offered counseling."
Bankston competed on "Survivor: Blood vs. Water" with his fiancé Colton Cumbie in 2013, ending in ninth place. According to reports, the couple was finalizing details for an October wedding. Cumbie's Twitter account is private, but a friend of his told the Daily Mail that shortly after the accident, Cumbie tweeted, "I just wish it was me..."
Past "Survivor" contestants were quick to offer their condolences to Bankston's family and friends. Aras Baskauskas told People magazine that Bankston "was an amazing man and friend."
"One of the sweetest and most sincere humans I've ever come across. I am gutted by his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family," he added.
Sabrina Thompson, who competed on "Survivor: One Word" with Cumbie, recalled to the magazine how in love the two were.
"While playing 'Survivor' with Colton, he would talk about his boyfriend, Caleb, around the clock 24/7," she said. "Within seconds of meeting Caleb at the finale and 'Survivor' events, it's no wonder why he raved about him. You were instantly drawn to his big smile, warm spirit and Southern charm. May God rest his soul... gone too soon."
According to People, Bankston is the third "Survivor" contestant since the show premiered to have died. In 2010, "Survivor: Palau" competitor Jenn Lyon died after battling breast cancer for six years and last year, original "Survivor" star BB Anderson died of brain cancer at 77-years-old.
