By Peter Bugden
A GROUP of parishioners from the Mackay deanery are still recovering from injuries sustained in a road accident on the way home from the Mass of the Oils, but they’re counting their blessings that no one was killed.
Rockhampton diocesan administrator Fr John Grace, in his recent final message in the role, said “only the hand of God has prevented deaths” in the accident.
“The prayers and good will of the injured is markedly profound,” he said.
The 18 parishioners – 17 women and a male bus driver – were on their way home from the annual Mass of the Oils in Rockhampton when their 22-seater mini-bus skidded off the road and overturned just north of Sarina about 1.30am on April 10.
Mackay North and Northern Beaches parish priest Fr Peter Tonti said all were taken to hospital.
“Some had fractures, lacerations and bad bruising,” he said.
“The bus driver was probably the worst off. He fractured a bone at the back of his neck.”
Centacare offered free counselling for those affected by the trauma, and Fr Tonti said the passengers met for their most recent session with a counsellor on May 21.
Fr Tonti said indications from that meeting were that some of the passengers would still take some time to recover.
Some with fractures were still wearing slings and some were still affected by the trauma.
“Some are still having sleepless nights,” Fr Tonti said.
He has been in close contact with members of the group since the morning of the accident.
“They all tell their own stories of miracles,” he said.
“It’s quite amazing, when you look at the bus, that there weren’t any fatalities.”
Fr Tonti said there was “a tremendous spirit” among the group and he saw this as a reflection of them being faith-based people.
“They felt God was with them through it all,” he said.
He said there was “quite an amazing response” of support from the parishes and priests.
Fr Tonti said the section of road where the bus overturned was known as a site of frequent accidents.
Fr Grace, in his message to the diocese, said the passengers involved in the accident had received “splendid pastoral care” from Fr Tonti and the priests of the Mackay deanery.
