Sad News, 5-21-23

Our reader friend Linda has experienced a great sadness in her family – her grandson was in a terrible accident with three friends, one of who died. He is also badly injured and Linda could use our support. Please read her account of the accident posted early this morning.

Sending prayers to this sad family.

83 thoughts on “Sad News, 5-21-23

  1. Sheila in WI

    I just replied to her comment. So devastating for each of these young people. Prayers for grace and strength in the coming days and weeks.

    Reply
  2. Gloria B - IL

    Linda, may you, your grandson, his friends and all of those touched by this tragedy be lifted up by our prayers.

    Reply
  3. Diane in Colorado

    Sending prayers for Linda and her family. There sure tend to be too many accidents with young people at this time of year. Praying for healing and recovery for Linda’s grandson as well as comfort for the family of his friend.

    Reply
  4. Susan K in Texas

    Linda I could feel your pain in your post this morning. Prayers for your grandson, his family (including you), and his friends and their families. ❤️

    Reply
  5. Diane in Maryland

    Linda,
    We are saying many prayers for your grandson, his friends and all of your family! This is so sad and we are so very sorry. ❤🙏🙏🙏🙏❤

    Reply
  6. Jill Klop

    I wasn’t sure where to read her account of what happened, but I’m very sorry for all that they have experienced and are going through.

    Reply
    1. Sheila in WI

      Jill, Linda’s account of what happened was in the comment section of Saturday’s post.
      Hope this was helpful.

      Reply
  7. Vicki in Seattle

    Linda, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandson’s accident.
    I am sending prayers of comfort and healing for all involved.

    Reply
  8. Sharon G.

    Mary – So sorry to hear this sad news!
    Sending prayers for Linda and her family and all of the others involved in this tragedy. 🙏

    Reply
  9. Sherri Huff

    Sending many prayers to Linda, her family and all the other families in this tragic accident. Heartbreaking 💔

    Reply
  10. Jody Irwin

    It is so sad that Linda’s grandson was in a terrible accident with friends . To all the family’s I’m sending prayers that won’t make it any better but know it will let them see other people thinking of them .

    Reply
  11. Gloria from CC

    Sending a prayer and a hug to Linda, her grandson and family.🙏. Please know that we are all thinking about you.

    Reply
  12. Helen

    Where may we read her account? praying he will recover and the other families are comforted during this time of loss. God bless!

    Reply
    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Helen – she posted a comment early Sunday morning – I think it was around 5 am. You’ll have to read the comments a long way back now because of all the current comments. I’m hoping she will update us tomorrow.

      Reply
    2. Sheila in WI

      Here’s a copy of Linda’s comment:
      ” Mary, thank you for the wonderful love letter from your farm this morning. Seeing the puppies and cats, even little old JB, the bird feeders and quilts really lifted my spirits. I spent yesterday at the hospital and am choking down some coffee before I go take care of Bear the horse and Albert and Norman the little donkeys and Sherman my rooster, then head back to the hospital. My 18 year old grandson was in a horrific accident early Saturday morning and will have surgery on his femur that is badly broken this morning. He is lucky to be alive, broken ribs, a lot of facial fractures that a plastic surgeon will further evaluate and work to put back together when he is extubated, ruptured liver and spleen and fractures in his spine. The brain bleeds are reabsorbing and the neuros are confident that will be fine. Two of his friends are also in ICU in critical condition. The end of this nightmare is that his best friend was declared dead on the scene which he doesn’t know yet. If anyone knows what we should do to help him overcome the emotional toil this will take on a young man who has already lived through another tramatic nightmare, please let me know. And what do we do for the family who lost a most prized possession, their son? I can’t just do nothing and I am sure there is anger in their grief but something must be done for them.

      Thank you again Mary, you’ll never know how your writing helped.”

      Reply
      1. Mary Etherington Post author

        Sheila – thank you for posting Linda’s comment this morning. I also copied it and was going to post it – you saved me that job!

        Reply
        1. ellean

          My first time to comment but felt I should. We just wene thru something similar ony no one died. My great grandson had a very bad car accident was air lifted to the Trauma Hospital in West Memphis. Everyone we know and a Many many we don”t know only friends on face book. Everyone” s prayers went up. They didn”give us much hope for him. God heard the many many prayers. Praise God he is out of rhe hospital and doing good. No brain damage and the large deep cut on his head is healing great. His accident happened about 5 pr 6 weeks ago. I”m praying for the fast recovery for this young man and also the others that was injured. Also for the family. love ones and friends of the lost love one.

          Reply
  13. Colleen in Central Oregon

    Linda, hugs and prayers being sent your way for all involved. What a terrible tragedy.

    Reply
  14. Joy in NW Iowa

    Linda, our thoughts and prayers for all involved in the accident. May your grandson recover and may the family in mourning be comforted.

    Reply
  15. Lynne from NJ

    LInda,
    Sending prayers to you and your family and the other families affected by the tragic accident.

    Reply
  16. Arrowhead Gramma

    My thoughts and prayers are with Linda’s grandson, his friends and the families of all who were injured. May God touch each of them with His healing hand and bring comfort to their families. ❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️

    Reply
  17. Charlotte

    Lifting Linda and her grandson and family in prayer for healing and for God’s protection and provision, that He be their strength and comfort in the days ahead.

    Reply
  18. Jeanie S, Central IL

    Linda,
    My heart truly aches for your family and the other families who are suffering from this accident. I am sending prayers for healing physically and emotionally. Take Care.

    Reply
  19. Beryl in Owatonna

    Linda,
    I am praying for you and your family, especially for your son and his healing and comfort and his friends’ family too.

    Reply
  20. Jean

    I tried to find Linda’s account of what happened but it didn’t come up. I will pray for all the families involved. I know that there is no more powerful force on this earth than prayer!

    Reply
  21. Cheryl from Niagara Falls

    I could not find Linda’s entry either, but I cannot imagine the pain she and her family must be dealing with. Sending prayers for her grandson and everyone involved.

    Reply
  22. Lynette in Orlando

    Linda – lifting up your family and the other families in prayer. So sorry about what happened (like others, I couldn’t find the account – but that’s ok). Linda, praying for your strength. Xx

    Reply
  23. Linda

    Dear Mary and many friends. Thank you for the kind thoughts and prayers. Prayers are much needed for these young boys to insure their healing bodies and minds, especially when they are able to comprehend that they lost a dear friend much to early in his young life.

    My grandson had a long surgery yesterday morning to repair the femur in his right leg, they placed a rod in his leg and it will be cast from groin to toes. Before the surgery the nurses were able to stir him enough to blink his eyes at me when they said Grandma is here, he lifted his hand a bit and squeezed my fingers when I said I love you sweetie. They have him in restraints so he doesn’t try to remove the vent so his movements are very limited. Last evening they were beginning to lessen the sedation and his cried in pain and moved his hands as if questing what was going on. They also assessed that he may be breathing on his own and they are contemplating when to extubate. When the vent is removed the plastic surgeon will be able to determine how to repair all the facial fractures as they have said his facial structure is very mobile. We know his right orbital socket is badly fractured and you can see that his face is sunken on the right. I don’t know what the will do with the breaks in his nose or sinus wall, but it sounds as if there is cheek and jaw repair necessary as well.

    One boy was released last evening but he is terribly confused and cannot remember anything and even his account of who was with him is incorrect. The other young man who is also 17 is being kept in coma
    due to his severe concussion.

    I will keep you updated. News of the boy who lost his life has not been made public as the investigation is still in process. Thank you again for you love and consideration, I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family. Hug your kids and fur babies for me.

    Reply
    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Linda. – I think you can tell we’re all thinking about you and hoping for the very best outcome. I hate to think of what lies ahead for him – all those surgeries! Hang in there and remember to take one day at a time. Oh, his poor parents! Is it your son or daughter?

      Reply
    2. Sheila in WI

      I can’t even imagine what you are going through. But I trust God to go with you and especially your grandson and the other you men, every minute of every day. Prayers will continue.

      Reply
  24. Connie R.

    Linda, I am praying that your Grandson’s surgery went well yesterday and, the doctors can now address his other injuries. You must feel so helpless but, know that you, and the families involved, are in the thoughts and prayers of many people. Prayer is a powerful thing. Please take care of yourself.

    Reply
  25. Rosalie

    Linda, praying for all the families and caregivers. So hard to know what will bring comfort. While it might not be a comfort immediately, gathering pictures and stories from this group of friends might be meaningful to the family of the deceased in 6-12 months….and it is a project one or more of the survivors can collaborate on and perhaps make a photo book for each of them with things like his favorite words, foods, fashion songs etc.

    Reply
  26. Kathy in western NY

    Linda, it’s so sad young people have suffered badly in this car accident. Such a long recovery for your grandson and I hope and pray each day brings him steps of better health. You have the power of prayers from so many of us around the world raising you in guidance in the months ahead as healing begins. Just stay all together for support so all involved work through emotions.

    Reply
  27. Rachel Summy

    Prayers for your grandson and his friend Linda. Prayers also for you and his family for comfort and strength getting through these next days, weeks and months ahead.

    Reply
  28. Sue in PA

    Linda, I will be praying for your grandson and for the other boys and for all the families involved in this terrible accident. “May your unfailing love be my comfort.” Psalm 119:76

    Reply
  29. Sally J.

    So sorry to hear this dreadful news of your Grandson’s accident and sustained injuries. Sending prayers for healing and comfort. May God bless all involved boys and their families.

    Reply
  30. Diana

    You and your grandson are in my prayers for a speedy and complete recovery ❤️‍🩹. Hoping all involved will find strength and peace.

    Reply
  31. Joyce from NY

    Such a tragic accident for these young boys, My thoughts & prayers are with all the boys & families!!

    Reply
  32. Jessica in Florida

    I’m so very sorry, Linda. My prayers are being sent for to you, your grandson, the three other boys and their families.

    “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

    Reply
  33. Ann in PA

    Linda, there are no words at a difficult time such as this. There is great power in prayer and Mary’s blog certainly enables us to come together in prayer, support, and friendship (even though many of us never met) . May the love of God surround those young boys and all the families to bring comfort, strength, peace, and healing. God bless. 🙏🏻

    Reply
  34. Brenda in N Calif

    Linda,
    Having lived through this nightmare with a very good friend, I understand what you are going through. Be there to comfort and hold each other up during this long ordeal. My prayers are with you, and all this tragedy touched. Find comfort with God and each other.

    Reply
  35. Lorraine

    I am writing this comment with tears running down my cheeks. I don’t know Linda but I want to send out my thoughts and prayers to her and her family and also sending prayers for the other families involved. I have 7 grandchildren and if any of them had to go thru something like this it is devastating. Wishing the best for your grandson Linda. Hugs and prayers go out to you.

    Reply
  36. Bonnie

    Linda,

    We endured a similar situation with our own son many years ago so I know how difficult this is for everyone involved. ( our son survived thank God ). My prayers are with you and your family and the other boys and their families. May God give you strength for the journey.

    Reply
  37. Linda

    Many prayers for you , Linda…..and the other families….I can’t even imagine what you are going through…I will pray that God will hold you up…

    Reply
  38. Mareen Nedved

    Thinking of you, your family and the families of all the boys that were in the accident. I lost my daughter in a car accident at the age of 16 and that will be 37 years ago and still it is fresh in my mind. Her boyfriend was physically injured a little but was going way to fast and had been drinking so it was tough to go thru as her family for sure. I know he lives with tough memories that too will not go away but the accident surely should not of happened. I am blessed they I have my faith as some do not and it has to be terrible – forgiveness and prayers helps – I pray that you all get through this terrible nightmare – your faith, family, and friends are there for you – take care and stay strong!!

    Reply
    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Mareen – thank you for your honest recollection of the horrific accident in which you lost your young daughter – I’m so sorry for everyone involved. Parents should never outlive their children.

      Reply
  39. Marsha in MI

    Thinking of Linda and her family as well as the families of the others involved in the accident. Where did Linda post about the accident?

    Reply
  40. Meredith in Cincinnati

    Praying for you, Linda, and the families and kids involved. So, so, hard for all of you.

    Reply
  41. Sunflower from Michigan

    Thinking of you and your family, Linda, as well as the other boys. There are no words to help but please know we’re sending prayers, thoughts and best wishes.

    Reply
  42. Lisa B

    Prayers for all affected by this accident. May the Lord sustain you, hold you close and give you peace. May the doctors receive wisdom from on high.

    Reply
  43. Caryn in Eastern Washington

    Sending prayers for strength, comfort, and healing for everyone affected by this accident.

    Reply
  44. Katie in Gilbert, Az

    🙏🏼 prayers for Linda’s grandson & his friends & families going thru this sad time.❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  45. Patricia

    I have a pit in my stomach and an ache in my heart. I couldn’t find your initial post but read of the injuries of your grandson. I can’t imagine the pain with all his trauma. I’m praying for all the families, the one who lost their son. It will be a long recovery emotionally and physically for all. Many prayers.

    Reply
  46. Kris in Naperville

    Oh Linda! What a shock for you and all the families. I am praying for physical healing, emotional healing and traumatic healing for your Grandson, his friends and all the families…. please lean on the Holy Spirit as you go through this process. Take it one day at a time and remember to breathe…

    Reply
  47. Agatha B

    Linda
    So sorry that you and your family is going through all this. I can’t even imagine what you all are dealing with. Sending you all lots of healing prayers. Take care of each other and just take one day at a time.

    Reply
  48. Janice Brown

    Linda, your post is very hard to read, very sad. My prayers to you and all those impacted by this tragedy.

    Reply

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