An Arkansas pastor’s two daughters were tragically killed when their truck was hit by a train on Thursday, also badly injuring the man and his young son.
Chad Fryar, 37, a pastor at the Crossroads Cowboy Church was driving through Clark County, Arkansas on May 27 when the fatal collision occurred.
As the vehicle traveled across the tracks, a train heading north hit the passenger side and dragged the truck approximately half a mile.
Fryar’s two daughters, Marley Jo and Dana Kate, succumbed to their injuries while Chad and his son, Bo Henry, are currently fighting for their lives.
‘I cried a lot of tears yesterday,’ said head pastor of Crossroads, Ron Riddle. ‘Chad and Rachel have become like our own children. Their kids called us Nana and Po.’
Arkansas pastor Chad Fryar’s two daughters were tragically killed when their truck was hit by a train on Thursday, also badly injuring the man and his young son
As Fryar’s vehicle traveled across the tracks, a train heading north hit the passenger side and dragged the truck approximately half a mile
‘I cried a lot of tears yesterday,’ said head pastor of Crossroads, Ron Riddle. ‘Chad and Rachel have become like our own children. Their kids called us Nana and Po’
According to a crash summary obtained by local outlets, Fryar was driving his 2017 Chevrolet Silverado around 1:45pm when the collision occurred.
The Arkadelphian reported there are crossbuck stop signs on both sides of the tracks but no flashing lights or crossing gate to warn of coming trains.
After their vehicle was impacted, the father of three was air-lifted to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, nearly 50 miles from the scene.
Bo Henry was taken Arkansas Children’s Hospital for unspecified injuries.
It’s unclear where each child was sitting inside of the vehicle at the time of the collision.
A post from the Crossroads Cowboy Church over the weekend indicated that Fryar and his young son are recovering from their injuries.
‘Chad is in good spirits and being 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 read.
‘Bo Henry’s surgery went better than anticipated last night and they are managing his pain, he is being a trooper,’ the post continued, stating he had been removed from the pediatric intensive care unit.
Chad’s wife, Rachel, who is the mother of all three children is also at the hospital and has gotten to speak with her husband, Crossroads leaders stated.
‘Please keep praying, God is on the move,’ the church wrote.
Marley Jo Fryar (far right) and Dana Kate Fryar (left in the blue top) were both killed in the crash
A post from the Crossroads Cowboy Church over the weekend indicated that Fryar and his young son are recovering from their injuries
Bo Henry (middle) is the only Fryar child still alive following the tragic train collision
‘They will need our prayers and support even more in the coming days and months,’ a post from the church’s El Paso branch reads
Fryar – who headed up the church’s Bismarck, Arkansas location – had preached just last Sunday, according to a streamed service on their Facebook page.
During that service, he spoke on seeds of faith and finding blessings in life, even when it may seem difficult.
Riddle, speaking with local outlets, said the faith is now what the Fryar family and the community surrounding them are relying on.
‘While they are devastated, their faith of God is strong it’s intact,’ Riddle said.
The church is currently welcoming donations to assist the family in need.
‘They will need our prayers and support even more in the coming days and months,’ a post from the church’s El Paso branch reads.
Hundreds of people have commented and shared their support for the family as they grieve and prepare for the unexpected burial of their two young girls.
‘I’m completely in shock. My mama heart is so sad. I can’t even try to. God does his wanders and he needed them in heaven worse that this nasty earth. Lord. God,’ one woman wrote.
‘Prayers going up for this family,’ another added.
The Fryar family in a photo shared by the Crossroads Cowboy Church over the weekend
‘While they are devastated, their faith of God is strong it’s intact,’ Crossroads Cowboy Church head pastor Ron Riddle said in a statement to local outlets
Police and other officials are currently investigating the crash.
Union Pacific Railroad confirmed no one on the train at the time of the incident was injured in the collision.
The cause of the crash is still unknown at this time.
