Amish Family Of 7 Out Of The Hospital After Crash — They Came Home With 3 Wheelchairs

Some good news out of the Clarita, Oklahoma Amish community. All seven members of an Amish family – the Schrocks – injured in a September 6 buggy crash have been released from the hospital.

Clarita Volunteer Fire Department Chief Frank Williams told the Ada News that the last hospitalized child returned home Thursday, September 17 – 11 days after the wreck. The buggy was carrying Dwayne Schrock, his wife, Laura, and their five children, ages 2 to 9.

This was the crash which we noted had a scary aftermath – the horse breaking loose of the buggy likely saved the life of one of the family’s youngest members, according to Williams. The fire chief posted the update to social media on Thursday:

“The last child was released today and is now home! Their home now has three wheelchairs and one set of crutches. God is good! Now starts the recovery process.”

He also told the paper “It’s the first time they have all been together since the accident.”

When the crash happened, the impact flipped the horse and buggy upside down into the ditch, throwing out everyone except one child. A small child remained tangled in the wreckage until the horse got to its feet and broke loose.

Four medical helicopters and two ambulances transported the family to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where they were admitted for serious injuries including numerous broken bones. So, that right there sounds pretty bad.

The good news is that all survived and now they move forward in the recovery process together – and with the help of their family and community. The Clarita settlement is not a big one – just around 100 Amish residents – but the community is not just made up of fellow Amish church members.

Williams also expressed his relief on a personal level as a first responder to learn that the family is home:

“They don’t ever call us to say that they made it. They don’t ever call us to say that someone died. We put them on a helicopter, send them to a trauma center and, the (unknown part), you don’t know what you’ve done. With us seeing these kids all come home and be together is such a relief to me because I was out there in it.”

 

Dwayne Schrock owns a tire business in Clarita. It doesn’t sound like he is one of those in a wheelchair, so hopefully he is able to get back to work. Someone has set up a GoFundMe page for anyone that wants to help the family:

On Sunday, September 6, Dwayne and Laura Schrock and their five young children, Ashley, Eric, Jesse, Emily, and Alex, were involved in a serious horse-drawn buggy accident near Clarita, Oklahoma.

For those who know Dwayne, you likely know him through DS Tire or simply as someone who has always been willing to help when there was a need in our community.

Dwayne has supported many local causes and families over the years, often quietly and without expecting anything in return.

Now, our community has an opportunity to come together and support Dwayne and his family during an incredibly difficult time.

According to the page, at least two of the children were in the intensive care unit, and were still there when the fundraiser was created 10 days ago. The page confirms one of the little girls is one of those in a wheelchair as her pelvis heals. But again, good that they’re all home now. The fundraiser also has this:

All funds raised through this GoFundMe will be given directly to Dwayne Schrock to help support the family throughout their recovery.

If you are able to give, any amount will be deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and, most importantly, keeping the Schrock family in your prayers.

The GoFundMe for the family is here, or embedded below. If you’re local, donations can also be dropped off at Troyer’s Discount Grocery and Clarita Greenhouse in Clarita. A donation account has also been set up at Shamrock Bank in Coalgate (the GoFundMe has more details). As of posting this, the fundraiser is at nearly $3,000.