Parents of 2 children killed in Amish buggy crash grateful for support

A month after two of their children died in a buggy crash in Wexford County, an Amish couple struggles with a home that's a little less crowded, a little quieter. (April 17, 2023)

[@carolsaylor6151]

We, the non-amish population, love you and support you. God bless you all 🙏❤️

[@marshamcmullen7845]

I have tears in my eyes. Tears of sadness for this family who have lost so much and tears of compassion for the wonderful response from the community. God’s love at work.

[@guardianoflight14]

I pray the girl grows up stronger after this tragic event. Praying for the whole family after losing two innocent souls to soon in life. ❤😢

[@agustinastclair2203]

I am in agreement in JESUS Name AMEN 🙏

[@suklinkner8684]

Love the Amish people. So very sorry for your loss.

[@Wisepati]

I don’t care for Amish as a society as they treat animals abysmally. These poor horses are beat to death on the roads and they run puppy mills.. and I have yet seen any Amish person stand up to talk against this. That being said the loss of these children is tragic and is just another reason why the Amish need to reconsider the use of horse and buggies, because I see these accidents all the time.

[@CanadianSquatchgirl]

I really needed to hear a heart warming story today. Up here is Southwestern Ontario, Canada we have 21 Amish communities or settlements that we interact with at the markets. It was lovely to see the Amish and local communities come together to get through the tragic loss of 2 children and Hannah’s terrible injuries. In a time of such uncertainty, war, crime, inflation and layoffs, this story gives me hope for mankind.

[@stacyrussell460]

Bless this sweet, grieving family as they move forward without two of their babies. Bless their surviving child & may she continue to heal inside & out.

[@Chronically_JBoo]

So very sorry for their loss. Hugs and prayers their way

[@AB-mx1de]

It is beautiful how much the community helped them ❤

[@HappyNarrative]

I’m so proud to be from Michigan. This brought tears to my eyes. The Amish are a beautiful, wonderful people and the community that came together in their time of need is no less amazing. Bless them all. 🤍

[@Wisepati]

Do you know that the Amish run puppy mills?? What do you think happens to their horses after they’re done with them? They don’t retire them they send them to kill pens.. these accidents happen over and over because these buggies should not be on the road

[@beejdude]

@@Wisepati not all amish run puppy mills bro lol. the amount of puppy mills everywhere in every single community really negates your argument. also, how many car accidents happen a day in your state? probably more than buggy crashes. just say you don’t like amish and shut up 🤷🏻‍♀️ a family lost their children and you’re here insulting their community.

[@happycamper1372]

@@Wisepati Amish Potato & Eli Yoder opened my eyes. I’ve been around Amish all my life & I had no idea what goes on in their church & their beliefs about outsiders .

[@siam5579]

@@Wisepati Although I’m completely against puppy mills and abuse of animals (they really need to shut them down) this is still a horrible thing that happened. They didn’t deserve for this to happen.

[@annreinbeau]

So sad to lose a child, never mind two.... my heart goes out to all of them.

[@sgrvtl7183]

I am so very sorry for this tragic loss of children. The Love of the Amish People shines bright to help one another. Grateful for outpouring from ALL people who express their concern, thoughtful prayers & comments. Sending Love for healing this Family 💗💚💛

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Bless their hearts. I'm so glad folks have joined in to support them in every way they can.

[@SandraUrquia]

So sad, yet so beautiful how complete strangers gave Money & Support! RIP 🕊️ Little Ones. ❤️

[@jelena7604]

It seems a bit questionable for an 11 year old to be in charge of driving a buggy with other young children. Healing wishes for the family.

[@proudparrotparent815]

Wishes of comfort and strength to the parents of their beautiful deceased children ,and a speedy recovery to Hannah the survivor . God bless them. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@phyllisanngodfrey6137]

11 seems young to be driving a wagon on a public road. God bless this family. I live not far from that infamous Amish school shooting incident. This is an amazing community within a supportive “English” community.

[@fireflysparks1105]

Yes, so young to be driving. May they both rest in peace

[@sandysimmer1279]

Prayers for everyone in this sweet family. Rest in peace Rachel and Samuel.

[@robynconway1286]

Very sad for family. I do hope the horse is ok. You said he was involved in the accident but you didn't mention what happened to horse or car occupants.

[@arielporte4149]

Children should not be allowed to drive any kind of vehicle on roads where cars and trucks are traveling. Adults only should have that right. If four wheelers, etc aren't allowed on the road because it's not safe, maybe buggies driven by children shouldn't be either. I love my Amish neighbors and I slow my car to 5 miles an hour when driving around them because I know that horses can stumble or bolt etc. I often see buggies without the required bright colored triangle for slow vehicles, sometimes at dusk when its nearly dark....these is also something that Plain folk could do to improve their own safety. I have seen car drivers speed recklessly past buggies, sometimes even honking or yelling.... As far as I can see that kind of stupid behaviour around a horse drawn vehicle is attempted murder. My condolences to the family and community that lost their children.

[@jjdjj5392]

My deepest condolances to this family😢

[@LadyDi205]

Sorry for your loss. Praying God will comfort you today and down the road ahead. So grateful Hannah is home and healing.

[@carolvilligan5302]

The Amish are humans also. They don't ask for outside help but it doesn't hurt to help them in their time of need. They don't bother people they do help each other.❤

[@alicel3992]

The BIBLE has a lot to say about giving and we reap what we sow, giving is a way of reaping blessings 🕊😇

[@sylviapatterson1311]

BLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO'S GOD OF ALL BE HIS GLORY ALLEULIAAA AMEN.THEY MODEL GOD'S L❤VE IN THEIR LIFESTYLES, THEREFORE EVEN HEATHENS,THAT ARE GOOD SAMARITIANS LKE,10. WILL SHOWED KINDNESS. CHRIST RETURNED IS HERE THE BODY EPH,4:5 OF CHRIST WILL GET BEYOND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS THAT MATT., 12:25 SEPARATED HIS WORSHIPPERS L❤VE PEACE ❤📖 AMEN🙏🔑🙏

[@deltas726]

Thoughts and prayers to the family 🙏🙏🙏.

[@jonmickley6979]

This is why 11 year olds shouldnt be driving buggies around on public roads!! I live in amish country and have seen 8-9 year olds driving buggies by themselves down interstate highways by themselves or with other equally young children and its absolutely unsafe.

[@MetalHead1012]

Glad at least one of them survived. How sad 😔.

[@Dorky_Ikea]

I can not imagine losing my siblings or children. I hope someone is showing these people how much we are supporting them. I know God can help these two and their family. I'm praying for them. It's God's grace that the other girl and boy lived. ❤ I know they can live through this, I hope things get better for them.🙏

[@shakeyj4523]

God should have done that BEFORE the crash.

[@sandrastinson]

So sorry for your loss I have great respect for the Amish they helped us out when we got in an accident with our kia they pulled us out with their horses

[@JulieR73]

She’s a tough cookie! God bless her! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

[@bethmollet4956]

Thankful that the Salvation Army was there for this family- to provide for their needs during this tragedy-

[@cindyvining7866]

My sincere condolences. Prayers for the family.

[@sari5045]

My heart and soul needed a heartwarming story. Bless this family and bless this community. THIS is what it’s all about🥰

[@ABSG7]

The 11 year old was driving the buggie?! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@samniumspyder]

Happens all the time. Nothing they can do when the pony freaks out.

[@MegaLivingIt]

Prayers for you and your family 🧡

[@zerocool9135]

So very sorry for this family. May God bless them with more children if he pleased.

[@mikemanjo2458]

❤️🙏🏻for this family. So glad they know who is in control and that they will see them again. (Jane in SC)

[@chadjohnson13]

Prayers and love.

[@mistybollinger3312]

How incredibly heartbreaking! God bless the families hearts 🙏🙏 But I'm wondering why it's legal for a child to drive a buggy on the highway?! I personally dont consider that to be any different than a car!

[@suzypos4571]

Prayers for you and your family.

[@geetaali5758]

So grateful for kind people out there. God is good

[@deborahbaker1171]

May God Almighty have your children playing and smiling with the other angels in Heaven.May He give you peace knowing they were chosen to sing His Glory!

[@Jackjohnjay]

God bless this family. Help those around you. Our highest vocation and purpose is to love and support one another.

[@kenhuffman9306]

My prayers go out for the Amish family that are going through this tragedy. Vehicles need to be cautious around the Amish buggies. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@m16fermy]

The amount of tears I would have and nightmares I would be subjected to in a situation like this😢 I prey for y'all

[@blue_moon6490]

God bless this family. I pray for continued healing for all. ❤️🙏🕊

[@zzzzipy12]

So sad. Prayers for the family.

[@ruthdanielson919]

I grieve for the loss of your dear children and give thanks for your daughters survival and good health. I respect your community, and way of life. I wish the rest of us would follow your good example. G~d bless.

[@2020girlygirl]

My condolences to this family ❤

[@judyhoffman7290]

Thanks for sharing the sadness! May the Lord bless and keep you!

[@julielumsden5184]

Such a heartbreaking story.

[@chananahar992]

i have many amish friends in Lancaster county. i send you my love & prayers 😢 💛

[@chananahar992]

also, my friend John helped start a new settlement in VA. locals are not used to as many buggies as we residents of Lancaster county are. their buggy was hit & John died 😢 children were injured. i forgot what happened to the horse 🐎

[@barbarawoolridge4462]

Sorry for your loss,prayers for the family 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Wisepati]

So sad for the loss of these beautiful children. The Amish are human like the rest of us. They aren’t any thing special. I don’t support their choices in life because they run puppy mills and send their horses to kill pens. I wish they would reconsider their views on animals and stop using horses and buggies, because these accidents happen all too often. I understand the religion teaches that animals have no souls, and they can use them however they wish. My condolences to the family.

[@elainephleps4705]

God bless this family. And bless everyone who has helped. Be kind too all. This world would be a better place!!

[@antoinettecreed8715]

These people are so Godly. I never met a mean one.

[@CJ-ph6zk]

Bless you and my heart goes out to your family and community.

[@marygonzales5957]

Oh .. I am sorry to hear such. Sad news . God is a loving God. I cant find words to express my condolences.. I will pray for you.

[@michael7126]

So sorry to hear this sorry for your loss

[@waltertaffs1737]

Prayers for the family such a tragic accident God bless everyone who help in this situation

[@cheryl5994]

SO, SO SAD. MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY & THE COMMUNITY & ALL THOSE SHO HAVE PITCHED IN TO HELP. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. 🙏🏻 REST IN PEACE SWEET ANGELS. 🤍🤍🤍🤍

[@365kps2]

Keeping your family in my prayers!

[@g-maw5458]

God bless their family. ❤️

[@CarinaPiersay]

Oh how very sad! Prayers for the family 🙏🏼

[@cobielangerak8726]

So sad…my heart is with you!

[@lucyguiland-nt9vu]

So glad the starting to put their lives together RIP to their kids from the caribbeen Trinidad 🇹🇹

[@ssmouse77]

I am so very sorry for your loss of 2 children & injuries to Hannah. Love & prayers to you. May God bless you. 😇😪

[@lesliecurtis9099]

Im sorry for your loss God be with you all 🙏 ❤️

[@killuaxkillua2384]

I am glad they gave received this support. This is how you show up for those in your community that are struggling. My heart is broken for them. No parent should have to bury their children.. I wonder if there is a way to make buggies more safe during accidents since they are on the roads with other motor vehicles. I hope there is improvement so no other family has to experience this tragic loss.

[@TheSouthernLady777]

God bless this dear family with the help and support they need, in Jesus's name, amen.

[@carolwilder2289]

Many prayers for this family

[@helenroberts2344]

I'm sorry for your lost of your two kids

[@misslottieish]

I am sorry for the tragedy but 11 is too young in my opinion to operate anything on a road with cars and trucks . Perhaps at 15 or 16 and with some sort of defensive driver training? But not a frail 11 year old. At her best she could not snatch back a pony with her tiny arms. And at that age with no defensive driving was she looking both ways left and right and across anticipating what might happen? Did she see the car coming and tighten back the reins and talk easy to the pony? Or was she and her sister and brother laughing and talking of little children things and possibly recess later and art class later or maybe lunch? Was she the "driver" or were her and the others just catching a ride to school in a horse and buggy that pretty much drove itself? A car you have to be 16.

[@laurenb6837]

The driver of the car that crashed into the buggy didn’t understand that speed kills. I wish people were smart enough to slow down.

[@Litandharryginny]

@@laurenb6837 how can this be the driver of the cars fault the horse bolted in front of them.

[@laurenb6837]

@@Litandharryginny because cars have brakes. If you can’t stop in time, then you’re driving too fast. Just slow down and give space.

[@pinacoloda226]

So very sorry😢😢may God be with you and comfort you🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jojop3483]

Sorry for your lost , Amen that ypu know you have the needed support

[@kimray9988]

God bless them......that is so sad

[@juliasummers3]

It's very sad but the laws need to change in regards to allowing a child to operate a buggy in traffic. An 11 year old child shouldn't be legally allowed to drive a horse and cart on public streets with traffic. The laws don't allow an 11 year old to drive a car or get a driver'slicense. We live in one of the largest Amish areas, and very young children drive carts in major traffic areas and many bad car and buggy accidents have happened to avoid hitting the buggies. Horses can get spooked and people in cars have been also killed hitting trees to avoid the horses running out in front of them. This sad horrible situation will continue to happen if laws aren't changed to make it safe for everyone in Amish areas. Remember, in the early 1800s when people traveled in horses and cart there were no cars.

[@normanseagull4027]

What happened to the horse?

[@mrsTraveller64]

How terribly sad. Is there any kind of knowledge why the horse ran into that car, I mean did the horse get scared of the car, did the car drive too fast in an area where they know there are horses on the street? Or what was the reason to all this, can it be prevented in the future? Personally I believe horses should have their own streets, like dirt-roads, not share the streets with cars...

[@susanford6926]

Prayers for the Amish family!!🙏

[@richardlong6097]

I'm honestly surprised whitmer didn't pressure local authorities or get a special prosecutor to attempt to charge the parents w some ludicrous charges over the accident.

[@allthingsthroughhim3856]

The Amish and another Anabaptist communities typically do not believe in taking matters to court, they are typically devout pacifists

[@sarahrickman6609]

Prayer has went up. We will see them very soon dear family. The Lord is with you all. I pray they feel the comfort of the Lord till the Lord comes.

[@theresehastings9030]

Godspeed to this family

[@jennykonrath6011]

I'm so sorry for your loss

[@lillianwilliams5510]

Our prayers are with the entire family. How sad,that this tragedy happened. The Amish are peaceful people and live with great religious traditions. Our hearts go out to the family. We pray for the lives of the children and healing for Hannah.

[@MarySpain1958]

What made the horse do that. ? Did that horse survive.?

[@Jesuslovechild1]

May they rest in peace and may Almighty God brings healing to your family!!

[@Michele-sq9zf]

So sorry 😢❤

[@zetaforde633]

Prayers for family but do something about the drivers being so young

[@Kels42]

I’m sorry but it would be even more tragic to lose you child and not have any photos as memories of them.

[@rerobinson1328]

How scary! I’m thinking of the pony too.

[@daltonmason8953]

Why isn't the vehicle insurance paying for the Amish childs hospital bills ?

[@nicolehutchinson5453]

Thank You Jesus Praying the Lord continue to comfort your family and your lost ❤😢

[@nanabanana1970]

🙏My prayers and condolences.

[@normakeeley5084]

So sorry for your loss . Peace and comfort in Jesus.

[@danabe3220]

Why arent there dedicated buggy roads though fields and such? Sharing the same roads cars use is too dangerous.

[@jacquelinebarbee6858]

Love and Hope for your family. Bless the givers.

[@SandraBugler-vq6co]

Such a shame. Can't imagine losing a child.

[@brittnaesimmons5170]

Shame

[@spikefivefivefive]

She's been replaced already.

[@sylviapatterson1311]

BLESS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO'S GOD OF ALL BE HIS GLORY ALLEULIAAA AMEN. WHAT IS SUCH SHAMFUL ABOUT THIS SANDRA?. THESE CHILDREN LIVED JESUS CHRIST, THEY AREN'T DEAD, BUT TAKEN HOME EARLY AMEN. JESUS CHRIST KNOWS BEST. JUST LEARNED CHRIST AND CELEBRATE AS THESE AMISH PEOPLE DOES ECC,3:1-📖 AMEN🙏🔑🙏

[@SandraBugler-vq6co]

@@sylviapatterson1311 It's a shame that these babies were taken from their mom so young. Have you know empathy. My Jesus isn't suppose to make moms suffer. It happens sometimes but its still a shame. I suppose you feel the same about the babies who have been shot dead at school? You sound like someone who believes in guns.

[@Nana_Mack]

Pray for the people over there and there lost

[@danettejachalke5818]

R.I.P..

[@nunyab3911]

Unity beautiful 😀

[@daleromdenne]

We would have to have paid and did when we had to go with our son to the hospital all the time. Even had to file bankruptcy because we wanted our son to walk.