FISHERS, Ind. (WTHR) - Counselors will be on hand at Cathedral High School Wednesday as the school mourns the loss of a 2015 graduate who died during a trip to Myanmar.
Kassie Braun was attending St. Edward's University in Texas. She was recently participating in the Semester at Sea program. She was one of more than 550 students who were circling the globe on the World Odyssey.
The plan was to visit 10 countries on four continents in 106 days, starting in Germany and including Spain, South Africa, India and Myanmar. The ship arrived in Myanmar on Saturday.
Eyewitness News has been told Kassie was with a group visiting a religious site when she accidentally fell.
"Kassandra Braun, a student from St. Edward's University, fell while on independent travel in Bagan, Myanmar. She was severely injured and passed away in the ambulance on the way to Mandalay General Hospital," Semester at Sea wrote in a release.
The accident happened Tuesday afternoon.
There are plans for a memorial service for the students on board the ship. Cathedral High School also released a statement, offering counselors for people who would like support as they process the heartbreaking news.
Braun was scheduled to arrive in San Diego two days before Christmas, but with her accidental death, her family is traveling to bring her home.
Her parents, Chalene and Dave Braun, posted the following statement on the Semester at Sea website:
The family is absolutely devastated by the tragic death of their daughter and sister, Kassandra “Kassie” Braun. They are still waiting for further details about what happened but would like everyone to know that Kassie was having the time of her life on Semester at Sea and was living her dream. She was so full of life and love, gave so much to so many. She had a tremendous love for her friends and teachers at Cathedral High School and St. Edwards University. She lived life the Holy Cross way hoping to someday give back as was given to her. Kassie’s family greatly appreciates the outpouring of love and support they have received and requests privacy as they mourn their loss and make arrangements for Kassie’s repatriation.