Friday, May 29, 2015

UP TO 19 PEOPLE INJURED AFTER CHURCH VAN COLLIDES HEAD-ON WITH A LINCOLN TOWN CAR IN STEPHENS COUNTY, GEORGIA






MAY 29, 2015

TOCCOA, GA (FOX CAROLINA)

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office said 19 people were injured in a church van crash on Highway 123 in Stephens County near Toccoa.

Deputies said 18 people were on board a church bus from Loves and Hugs Christian Tabernacle in Conyers, GA, that was headed to a church retreat at the Baptist Conference Center. They were all transported to area hospitals. 

Deputies said the driver of the car seriously injured and was airlifted. 

A Lincoln Town Car reportedly hit the church bus head-on in a curve on Highway 123 at Easy Street. 

Firefighters with the Toccoa Fire Department said the driver of the Town Car had to extricated from the vehicle and was airlifted to the hospital.

16 people from the church bus were taken to the hospital for observation and two refused treatment, firefighters said.

Deputies at the scene said the passengers suffered mostly cuts, scrapes, and possibly broken bones.

Charlotte Hill, the pastor of Love and Hugs Christian Tabernacle, said all the bus passengers are expected to be okay. 

Hill said many church members had been released from the hospital while others were still being treated early Friday morning.

"I just thank god for putting his arms around us and keeping us safe and sound," Hill said. "Bumps and bruises we can get over but life we have to cherish."

The cause of the crash remains unknown. 

Three state troopers were on the scene, along with deputies from the Stephen's County Sheriff's Office and firefighters. 

Source: http://www.foxcarolina.com