Savannah — Eleven members of First Baptist Church, Savannah, were injured — one seriously — in a one-vehicle accident near Rock Port on July 14.
The accident occurred on Interstate 29 as church members headed to a mission experience in Omaha, Neb.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the left rear tire on a 1998 Ford E350 blew, causing the van to leave the road. It struck a sign, rolled and came to rest upright.
The 10-foot trailer the van was pulling broke free in the accident. The driver, Darin Sloan, was not hurt.
Seriously injured in the accident, Francis Walker was taken by air ambulance to Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. She was released from the hospital on July 17, according to the church.
Ten adults suffered minor to moderate injuries. Eight were transported to Grape Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa, and two were taken to Heartland. Most were treated and released.
Youth on the trip traveled in a larger bus that was following the van when the accident occurred.
The group was scheduled to work at the Omaha Baptist Center and the Sudanese community in Omaha, but returned to Savannah instead. On July 16, another church team went to Omaha to deliver food and supplies the congregation had collected for the center.
Pastor Richard Lionberger encouraged the congregation to see the Lord's hand in the incident. "This mission trip was in no way a failure. We have seen the powerful hand of God at work," he penned in the church's July 19 newsletter.
"Some people in Omaha have received some food and supplies that they badly needed. And God gave us all of our people back. We have the testimony of His presence with us, even when busses are rolling over.
"Praise be to God!" (07-27-06)
