The two young daughters of an Arkansas pastor were tragically killed when their truck was hit by a train Thursday, also critically injuring the preacher and his young son.
Chad Fryar, 37, pastor of Crossroads Cowboy Church, was driving through Clark County, Arkansas, on May 27 when the fatal collision occurred.
As the vehicle was traveling on the tracks, a northbound train hit the passenger side and dragged the truck about half a mile.
Fryar’s two daughters, Marley Jo and Dana Kate, died while Chad and his son, Bo Henry, are currently fighting for their lives.
“I cried a lot yesterday,” Crossroads chief pastor Ron Riddle said. “Chad and Rachel have become like our own children. Their children called us Nana and Po.’
The two daughters of Arkansas pastor Chad Fryar were tragically killed when their truck was hit by a train Thursday, also critically injuring the pastor and his young son.
As Fryar’s vehicle was traveling on the tracks, a northbound train hit the passenger side, dragging the truck about half a mile.
“I cried a lot yesterday,” Crossroads chief pastor Ron Riddle said. “Chad and Rachel have become like our own children. Their children called us Nana and Po’
According to a crash summary obtained by local media, Fryar was driving his 2017 Chevrolet Silverado at around 1:45 p.m. when the collision occurred.
The Arcadelphic reported that there are crossbuck stop signs on both sides of the tracks, but no flashing lights or crossing gates to warn of approaching trains.
After their vehicle was hit, the father-of-three was airlifted to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, nearly 50 miles from the crime scene.
Bo Henry was taken to Arkansas Children’s Hospital with unknown injuries.
It is unclear where each child was in the vehicle at the time of the collision.
a after of the Crossroads Cowboy Church indicated over the weekend that Fryar and his young son are recovering from their injuries.
“Chad is in a good mood and is his normal self. Doctors are still discussing the length of his stay, but they are keeping him in ICU so they can monitor him,” it says.
“Bo Henry’s surgery went better than expected last night and they are managing his pain, he is a trooper,” the post continued, saying he had been removed from the pediatric intensive care unit.
Chad’s wife, Rachel, who is the mother of all three children, is also in the hospital and has been able to speak to her husband, Crossroads leaders said.
“Please keep praying, God is on his way,” the church wrote.
Marley Jo Fryar (far right) and Dana Kate Fryar (left in blue top) were both killed in the crash
A message from the Crossroads Cowboy Church over the weekend indicated that Fryar and his young son are recovering from their injuries
Bo Henry (center) is the only Fryar child still alive after the tragic train collision
“They will need our prayers and support even more in the coming days and months,” reads a message from the El Paso Municipality.
Fryar — who heads the church’s Bismarck, Arkansas site — had been preaching last Sunday, according to a streamed service on their Facebook page.
During that service, he spoke about seeds of faith and finding blessings in life, even when it seems difficult.
Riddle, speaking to local outlets, said faith is now what the Fryar family and the community around them rely on.
“While devastated, their faith in God is strong, but intact,” said Riddle.
The church is at the moment welcome donations to help the family in need.
“They will need our prayers and support even more in the coming days and months,” reads a post from the church’s El Paso chapter.
Hundreds of people have responded and shared their support for the family as they mourn and prepare for the unexpected burial of their two young girls.
‘I’m completely shocked. My mother heart is so sad. I can’t even try. God does his wanderings, and he needed them more in heaven than on this dreary earth. Gentleman. God,” one woman wrote.
“Prayers are being prayed for this family,” another added.
The Fryar family in a photo shared by the Crossroads Cowboy Church over the weekend
“Although they are devastated, their faith in God is strong, it is intact,” Ron Riddle, chief pastor of Crossroads Cowboy Church, said in a statement to local media.
Police and other officials are currently investigating the crash.
Union Pacific Railroad confirmed that no one on the train was injured in the collision at the time of the incident.
The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.