An update on the Amish family injured in wreck

A GoFundMe was started recently for an Amish family from Lattimore that is recovering from injuries after their horses were spooked by a tractor trailer.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, the Yoder family was driving their horses and buggy on Washburn Switch Road to Polkville when a large truck went by, startling the animals and causing them to jump the guardrail, according to Sgt. Brian Theis with North Carolina Highway Patrol. He said the truck did not stop but was not required to by law because no contact was made between the two.

Five people were in the buggy at the time, including a baby, and four people were injured in the incident.

Henry Yoder, the patriarch of the family, got the worst of the impact, losing an ear, two teeth and suffering fractures to his face.

His wife, daughter and son-in-law were also injured, but thankfully his 9-month-old granddaughter was not hurt, safely surviving cradled in her grandmother’s arms during the incident.

Since the scary situation with the buggy, Karen Crawford’s GoFundMe efforts have raised nearly $4,000 with a total goal of $15,000.

"The family is in crises mode at this time," Crawford wrote. "The head of household, Henry Yoder, is a 45-year-old man that spent two days in intensive care with facial and head injuries. The daughter, Susan, and her husband, Herman Hershberger, (early 20s and parents of the 9-month-old baby) have serious road rash. His left arm has third-degree abrasions, from his shoulder to his fingertips. The dressings on the abrasions must be changed several times a day. The wife of the 45-year-old man, Sarah was cradling the baby and received injuries on her knees and some fingers. The baby was spared injury as she was clutched in the arms of her grandmother."

She said now, the responsibility for keeping the family a-float financially is left to the only male in the family not involved in the accident who is a 16-year-old.

"The Amish generally do not ask for help, so I am asking for them. If you would like to show your concern/neighborliness, I am sure they would greatly appreciate it," Crawford said.

The Yoders say they have seen that neighborliness in person.

People have shown up to offer monetary help and donations by way of food.

Henry Yoder said it’s outside of his comfort zone to accept help, but he’s grateful, nonetheless.

This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: An update on the Amish family injured in wreck