Grandpa dies on hearing 7 children killed in fiery wreck

[Honeykiss1974]

This story really has nothing to do with GC, but I thought it was very sad. Not only did 7 children die a horrible death, but their grandfather (upon hearing the news of their demise) had a massive heart attack and died.

This lady has not only lost her kids (all of whom she adopted) but her father too. I can't imagine what she is feeling right now but I'm sure she could use your prayers, good vibes or thoughts.


Grandpa dies on hearing 7 children killed in fiery wreck

Thursday, January 26, 2006; Posted: 4:17 p.m. EST (21:17 GMT)

LAKE BUTLER, Florida (CNN) -- News of a crash in which seven children perished so upset their grandfather that he had a massive heart attack and died, the children's mother said.

"I lost my daddy tonight," Barbara Mann said Wednesday. "My dad died of a massive heart attack tonight over all this. He lost all seven of his grandkids ... I can't deal with this."

William Scott, who was 62, The Associated Press reported, died at his home. (Watch as news of the deaths proved to be unbearable -- 1:18)

Alvin Wilkerson, 32, of Jacksonville, Florida, has been identified as the driver of the tractor-trailer which plowed into the children's car near Gainesville, Florida, Wednesday. The impact caused the car to slam into the rear of a school bus that had stopped to let children off.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/01/26/bus.crash/index.html

[CrimsonTide4]

I read the story this morning about the 7 kids which is tragedy on a whole separate level but to add to that, now her dad is dead as well.

God be with them.

[Tom Earp]

Not to sound flippant, but that would draw a huge strain on someone!

[ADqtPiMel]

What a sad story.

My uncle had a heart attack a few years ago upon hearing that his oldest daughter had died in a car wreck. Thankfully, he survived.

[AznSAE]

oh man, that is really sad.

i would probably have a heart attack to if a family member past away. i dont do well with death and stuff.

[texas*princess]

wow that is really so sad. I can't imagine being in her shoes and having to deal with all of that.

[carnation]

I've been teaching in a low-security corrections center a couple of nights a week for years. One of our best residents' mothers died of a heart attack. (She was only in her forties.) When HER mom heard the news, she dropped dead immediately of a heart attack as well. When that lady's husband heard the news about both of them, he fainted and hit his head on something sharp on the way down and almost didn't make it.

The good news is that the center released the resident early and he went on to college and became a model citizen and great husband and father.

[honeychile]

I heard about this earlier, and I was completely stunned. Can you even begin to imagine losing ONE child, let alone five, then two nieces, then your FATHER has a heart attack?! If anyone needs prayer, this family does!!

My heart & prayers are with them.

[PiKA2001]

This story just keeps getting worse.

[sageofages]

And the truck driver said "He just wasn't paying attention"....

My brother-in-law lost his mother and grandmother when a semi hit them, it wasn't a pretty sight.

Knowing a semi plowed these poor kids under, would be enough to stop any family members heart....

I wept for them.

[Honeykiss1974]

This story hits home for me as well. About 15 years ago, my aunt, her daughter, and her two sons where sitting at a stoplight - on their way home after Sunday church - when a semi rear-ended them, going about 50-55 mph.

Both of my cousins in the back seat were killed instantly and my aunt and cousin somehow survived (after they endured months of hospitalization and rehab from their injuries). It was really only by the grace of God they did.

The driver of the semi admited to being high and not paying attention.

[madmax]

I think the mother will end up in jail. The 15 year old daughter was driving with 6 children in the car. Even if the 15 year old didn't cause the accident they shouldn't have been on the road in the first place.

[Buttonz]

Originally posted by madmax
I think the mother will end up in jail. The 15 year old daughter was driving with 6 children in the car. Even if the 15 year old didn't cause the accident they shouldn't have been on the road in the first place.

No, they shouldn't have been on the road...but that is not what caused the accident. It had nothing to do with a 15 year old driving iwhtout an adult in the car. I don't think the mother will be penalized for this...don't you think she was enough?

[Optimist Prime]

I do, wow that is so sad. I was driving down the street I live on which is 25 mph residental and a semi passed me (it is barely wide enough for two cars to drive on it,) and he was doing like 50. There should be tougher licnece tests to being a truck driver, so that moron drivers cannot drive them.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
There should be tougher licnece tests to being a truck driver, so that moron drivers cannot drive them.

There are. You have to have a commercial drivers license (CDL).

But no law is moron proof.