Students are being encouraged to support each other as they deal with grief from Monday's fatal car accident involving students from Mabel-Canton and Decorah

The early morning car accident in Winneshiek County and death of two sisters on Monday have left friends and family reeling in the aftermath.

Mabel-Canton superintendent Gary Kuphal has released the following statement, "The following information has been released from the Iowa State Patrol about the car accident that happened yesterday morning.  Avery and Aiden Arneson died in the car accident.  Alex, James, and Jack were injured and transported for medical care.  The staff at Mabel Canton Schools along with area clergy were available for students today and will continue to be available.  Please look for the attachment that was emailed out about dealing with loss provided by our school psychologist.  As a general rule, routine is good for our children, please encourage your children to come to school to be with and support their friends."

Decorah High School principal Kim Sheppard says, "We are very fortunate to have a strong support system in place in our community which has been a tremendous help at school.  We are receiving assistance from former North Winn teachers, AEA staff members, Winneshiek Medical Center Counseling staff, area youth ministers, and our own building and district counselors.  We are grateful for their support, care, and concern as we work together to help our students, faculty, and staff work through a variety of emotions.  We have also reached out to the Mabel-Canton Schools to let them know that we are keeping their students, their families, and their staff in our thoughts, as we want to also support them as we are able.  They too, are all facing a variety of emotions."