UPDATE: Seniors Recovering After Bus Crash
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 27, 2012
A group of seniors, on the way to bring cheer to others, was seriously injured in a church bus accident in Morrilton.
All 12 people in the bus had to be taken to the hospital. At least one is still in critical condition right now, although the pastor of the church tells us the are not life threatening.
In fact, most of the senior have already been allowed to go home after what was no doubt one of the scariest moments of their lives.
"There's no stopping this age group," said Senior Pastor Craig Duncan.
There's no mistaking the self-proclaimed "Golden Girls" at the Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church in Morrilton.
"They are full of life, they do trips to Branson, they spend time together and they go shopping," said Duncan.
Their every other Tuesday tradition: singing gospel music at a nursing home in Perryville.
But this Tuesday, the group of seniors never arrived.
Around 9:45 Tuesday morning, the church bus they were riding in ran off the road on Highway 9 just south of Morrilton, careened 500 feet through a field.
Other church members following behind, saw it all.
"I love these women and it was kinda scary until you started figuring things out," Duncan said.
Two were flown to the hospital immediately. Ten others taken to St. Vincent hospital in Morrilton.
Some suffered bruises and broken bones and others required surgery.
"We just ask that you lift all these people up, lift the families up," said Duncan.
Pastor Duncan says this accident won't stop the good work of the "Golden Girls."
"They will be out of commission for a little while but they'll easily be up and going," he said.
This crash is a reminder, he says, to be grateful.
"You just never know what a day may bring forth," Duncan said.
The driver of the bus, also a member of the church, had driven the bus many times before. He was treated at the hospital, but is doing better.
The accident is still under investigation. The driver of the bus told the sheriff he wasn't feeling good, tried to pull over, but blacked out. He apparently doesn't remember any more of the crash.
Video Courtesy: Larry Miller
All 12 people in the bus had to be taken to the hospital. At least one is still in critical condition right now, although the pastor of the church tells us the are not life threatening.
In fact, most of the senior have already been allowed to go home after what was no doubt one of the scariest moments of their lives.
"There's no stopping this age group," said Senior Pastor Craig Duncan.
There's no mistaking the self-proclaimed "Golden Girls" at the Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church in Morrilton.
"They are full of life, they do trips to Branson, they spend time together and they go shopping," said Duncan.
Their every other Tuesday tradition: singing gospel music at a nursing home in Perryville.
But this Tuesday, the group of seniors never arrived.
Around 9:45 Tuesday morning, the church bus they were riding in ran off the road on Highway 9 just south of Morrilton, careened 500 feet through a field.
Other church members following behind, saw it all.
"I love these women and it was kinda scary until you started figuring things out," Duncan said.
Two were flown to the hospital immediately. Ten others taken to St. Vincent hospital in Morrilton.
Some suffered bruises and broken bones and others required surgery.
"We just ask that you lift all these people up, lift the families up," said Duncan.
Pastor Duncan says this accident won't stop the good work of the "Golden Girls."
"They will be out of commission for a little while but they'll easily be up and going," he said.
This crash is a reminder, he says, to be grateful.
"You just never know what a day may bring forth," Duncan said.
The driver of the bus, also a member of the church, had driven the bus many times before. He was treated at the hospital, but is doing better.
The accident is still under investigation. The driver of the bus told the sheriff he wasn't feeling good, tried to pull over, but blacked out. He apparently doesn't remember any more of the crash.
Video Courtesy: Larry Miller
