'Survivor' Contestant Caleb Bankston Dead at 26 After Train Derails
Former "Survivor" contestant Caleb Bankston, who competed during the "Blood vs. Water" season in 2013, died after a horrible train derailment on Tuesday. His death has elicited an outpouring of grief from the "Survivor" community and fans.
"Caleb was an amazing man and friend," contestant Aras Baskauskas told People. "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."
"Within seconds of meeting Caleb at the finale and 'Survivor' events, it's no wonder why he raved about him," Sabrina Thompson said of Bankston's fiancé, Colton Cumbie. "You were instantly drawn to his big smile, warm spirit, and Southern charm. May God rest his soul … gone too soon."
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Bankston, 26, worked at the Alabama Warrior Railway in Birmingham. He competed on "Survivor: Blood vs. Water" with his fiancé, Colton Cumbie, but did not win the season. Cumbie was a returning player who chose to bring along Bankston because the two were literally inseparable, Cumbie told CBS.
"Last time I played I was extremely homesick and missed Caleb like crazy. He is my best friend … he also keeps me calm in stressful situations. Having him with me will give me the emotional stability I need to combine with my already strong concept of strategy," Cumbie explained.
Bankston named his "momma and dad" as his inspiration and said that he was participating on the show because he wanted to "help show America what love looks like. Love is love and I love Colton."
"Truly very few in reality history were as universally beloved as Caleb Bankston," Colin Stone tweeted. "Thoughts are with him and everyone who loved him today."
According to reports, the train he was working on in Alabama derailed, killing him instantly. It's unknown what happened to cause the derailment but there will certainly be an investigation. He is the third contestant from "Survivor" to die since 2000.
