Our hearts go out to the families of Kyrstin Gemar, Afton Williamson and Ashley Neufeld, the three Dickinson State University students found dead inside their vehicle in a pond in southwest North Dakota.

The three women, members of the university's fastpitch softball team, had been missing since Sunday night. They were found Tuesday evening inside their sport utility vehicle in about 10 feet of water on a farm near Dickinson. No foul is suspected.

Certainly it's a tragedy when anyone dies in an accident, but it hits especially hard when the victims are young. Gemar was 22, Williamson was 20 and Neufeld was 21. Dickinson State canceled classes Wednesday, and a memorial service is planned today on campus.

Family and friends will come together today to mourn the loss of three young women. It should also serve as a sobering reminder that life can be fleeting, and that even the young are not indestructible.

As the investigation continues, there will no doubt be more details released on how the accident happened and the causes of death, but nothing will change the feeling of loss felt by the families and those at Dickinson State who knew the women. May the families be reminded at this terrible time that they are in the thoughts and prayers of an entire state.