Lisa, I'm glad to hear that there was at least hope that everyone came through this horrific accident. My only question now is how's the horse? I'm a fan of just about anything with 4 legs and just have to know. You did a wonderful job, by the way, on taking this and the other shot. My hands would have been shaking; did you use a tripod to keep everything so perfectly in focus?
She was standing before the EMTs put the stretcher on her. She didn't look too bad to see, but I'm sure was in shock. I had a good shot of her when that was going on (long dress and face), but just couldn't take it. The Amish believe it steals their soul when a "graven image" is taken.
Most places around here, southeast Minnesota, the shoulder is a paved lane for the Amish buggies. But not right before the town of Preston, where you drop into a valley. Here it's a two-lane highway, plus a third "slow" lane for going up the long hill. From what I heard tonight from a guy who met the grandmother going up the hill, he thought she didn't have good control of the horse, plus she could have been farther toward the edge of the shoulder.
This guy said he had a bad feeling when he next saw two semis headed up the hill behind her -- one in each lane. However, he did not see the accident itself. So at least, the semi behind her had to be going fairly slowly... maybe 30-40 MPH going up that hill.
My first emotion upon getting there and seeing the buggy was "oh my god, someone is dead." I talked to some firemen later and they thought the exact thing. However, as I mentioned with the other shot, the women was moving. I surely hope she makes it. It's hard to concentrate on getting a photo when you're a bit in shock, too.
It surely shows that U.S. Highway 52 needs the Amish lanes all the way to Preston, which is the county seat. There is a community of around 400 Amish families across the county.
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{K:17558} 11/15/2001