LAKE PARK —
Several people were injured Friday evening when a car and a Florida church van collided along U.S. Highway 41, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
Numbers ranged from seven to 11 injured in the crash just a few miles north of the Georgia-Florida line. Early reports estimated the injured at 11 — 10 adults and an infant. Lowndes County Sheriff Chris Prine said seven people were transported to the hospital: two were reportedly injured severely, a boy suffered superficial wounds and two of the injured were from the other vehicle. The baby was OK, the sheriff said.
Authorities were still working the scene, investigating the crash and working with the injured Friday night.
The accident happened at approximately 7 p.m.
Dispatchers called numerous Lowndes County emergency personnel to the scene described as being south of Lake Park just north of the state line.
Hamilton County, Fla., along with Lanier County and Brooks County emergency personnel, were placed on mutual-aid standby to assist if needed as officials raced to the scene of the wreck.
Emergency personnel arrived to triage the scene, meaning they prioritized the injured by the severity of their wounds. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found several of the occupants had suffered minor injuries, with references to the “walking wounded.”
Prine said the church bus is believed to have traveled from Live Oak, Fla. A sign on the side of the van indicated it belonged to the St. John Holiness Church of Live Oak.
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