Freak Accident: High Winds Blow Over Amish Buggy; One Person Killed
Tragic and shocking accident in northern Indiana. From WNDU:
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – One person is dead after National Weather Service officials say strong winds blew over an Amish buggy in Elkhart County.
According to NWS, it happened somewhere on State Road 13 near Millersburg during Sunday’s outbreak of severe weather.
Details remain limited at this time and the death is being reported in a preliminary local storm report from NWS Northern Indiana.
That’s the sum total of the reporting out right now on this story.
“Freak” accidents have and do occur with Amish buggies. In one incident, a buggy plunged off a 20-foot bridge. There have been a fair share of runaway buggies. There are also cases of buggies being washed away during flooding.
But a buggy being blown over is not something I’ve ever heard of happening before. You can imagine how it might, though. The side of a buggy is flat and tall, especially relative to its weight. High winds could very well blow one over in theory.
Just a tragic occurrence. All condolences and prayers to the family.
UPDATE: The victim has been identified:
ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – Police have identified the man who was killed when strong winds blew over an Amish buggy yesterday in Elkhart County as 84-year-old Lonnie Yoder.
According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, it happened around 5:30 p.m. on County Road 20 near County Road 41 just southeast of Middlebury.
Officers and medics say Yoder was not conscious and not breathing. He was later pronounced dead.
Susan Mosey shares Lonnie Yoder’s obituary. He had seven children, and dozens of grandchildren & great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives.
Funeral customs
Reading the obituary, I was not surprised to see that the funeral would be held in a residence. I was, however, surprised to see that a funeral home was helping with the arrangements. I’d be interested in knowing what that entails. I would assume that the coffin would be handmade. Perhaps there is a state law requiring embalming if the burial is not done within a set time.
I’m very sorry of learning of this tragic accident. I also had never heard of an Amish buggy being blown over by high winds. Thanks for including the updated report which clarified the location where it happened. (SR 13 near Millersburg (initial report) is several miles south of CR 20 near CR 41 near Middlebury (updated report). Thanks also for including the link to Lonnie Yoder’s obituary.
Agreed Al. I’m guessing you’re probably quite familiar with the location.