Pastor Speaks Out Following Church Van Crash That Killed 13: ‘Everybody on That Bus Knew the Lord’
The pastor of the Texas church that lost 13 members in a horrific bus crash on the way back from a retreat says the survivors are leaning on each other as they mourn.
According to a statement on the church’s Facebook page, a group of 14 senior adults were returning home from a three-day trip to Alto Frio Baptist Encampment when they were involved in a head-on collision on U.S. 83 outside Garner State Park.
“It is with heavy hearts that we confirm that thirteen of the fourteen passengers in today’s bus accident were called home to Jesus,” the church confirmed. “The survivor is in serious but stable condition.”
Senior Pastor Brad McLean told Fox San Antonio that members of the congregation were gathering at the church as they awaited more news from authorities.
“Families come together in tragic situations. This is what our church family is doing. We’re coming together,” he said. “They’re coming together, they’re crying together, praying together and of course there’s anxiousness as to who was on the bus and what their condition is. There’s just a lot of unknowns.”
Nancy Lacey, a member of the church, told the outlet that they were taking comfort in knowing the strong belief system of the victims.
“We know that everybody on that bus knew the Lord and we know we will be able to see them again,” she said.
Sgt. Conrad Hein of the Texas Department of Public Safety told NBC News that the church bus was traveling southbound when it collided with a northbound pick-up truck.
All 13 victims were in the church van, while the driver of the pickup truck and one person from the van were injured.
None of the victims have been identified as of Thursday morning.
Govenor Greg Abbott and his wife shared their condolences in a statement hours after the crash.
“We are saddened by the loss of life and our hearts go out to all those affected,” their statement said. “We thank the first responders working on the scene in the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, and ask that all Texans join us in offering their thoughts and prayers.”
Statement on today’s tragic accident. https://t.co/cCnnfj1gYX http://pic.twitter.com/zes4B6IBfR
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) March 29, 2017
McLean said there are still many unknowns about the tragedy.
“You never know what the day is going to bring,” McLean said. “The Lord tells us that we have today, tomorrow is not promised.”
from PEOPLE.com
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