Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Appeal From David Snell:Van Needed For Bicycle Fundraising Fuller Center Team

Bike Adventure team's van crashes; 4 minor injuries
Submitted On June 08, 2011

A group of eight Fuller Center Bike Adventure participants were en route from Denver to Boise last


The Bike Adventure van and trailer were totaled in the accident
night when a tire exploded on the van they were driving, causing both the vehicle and the attached trailer to swerve and flip upside down.

None of the passengers, who included Tom Weber, Ashley Rae Moore, Michael Tiemeyer, Krystal Goodwin, Ryan Iafigliola, Allen Slabaugh, Scott Umstattd and Alyssa Hostetler, were seriously injured.

The team was on its way to Seattle for the kick-off of the fourth annual Fuller Center Bike Adventure, a 3600-mile journey designed to raise money and awareness for poverty housing.

“Events like this remind us of how quickly life can take a turn,” said Fuller Center President David Snell. “We are profoundly grateful that there were no serious injuries in the accident — the good Lord was watching over them. The riders are committed to continuing the Adventure, raising awareness about the important work of The Fuller Center for Housing. Our prayers will be with them.”

Though no one was seriously injured, each passenger was affected by the accident.

Tom Weber, who at 69 is the oldest member of the team, suffered from a dislocated shoulder. He will return home to Denver, but hopes to rejoin the team later.

Also treated for minor injuries at the Cassia Regional Medical Center in Burley, Idaho were Ashley Rae Moore, and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin.

The couple met during the 2009 Bike Adventure and were married May 20 of this year. This year’s Bike Adventure is their honeymoon.

For Allen Slabaugh, the Bike Adventure team leader, the event was a flashback. On March 2, 2007, Slabaugh was a member of the Bluffton University baseball team whose bus fell from an overpass onto Interstate 75 near Atlanta. Seven people were killed, and seven others were seriously injured in the highly publicized crash.

“That was just four years ago, so that's still somewhat fresh in my mind,” said Slabaugh. “When it started rolling, it felt very similar. Anytime your van rolls, it's scary.

Ryan Iafigliola, the driver of the van, was briefly trapped in the upside-down vehicle before fellow team members were able to free him from the smoldering van.

“With all the damage to the driver's side, for Ryan to be able to make it out was pretty amazing, along with everybody else,” Slabaugh said.

Alyssa Hostetler regroups after the accident
The van and trailer were totaled in the accident, but the bikes are relatively undamaged, as the trailer's door held firm during the crash.

“It was an act of surgery to get the bikes out,” said Scott Umstattd, the team's media coordinator. “It was like a MASH unit setup for the bicycles, like triage.”

“Everyone on the van was calm, cool and collected. And then 10 minutes later, they went into repair mode,” he added.

The team currently is trying to acquire a replacement van and trailer.

Despite this setback, the team is determined to press ahead.

“I asked if anyone else needed to go home, and no one was interested,” Iafigliola said. “I've been in similar situations where everyone was scared and cranky, but I think everybody's handled it with good humor.”'

This dedicated team needs your support now more than ever.

Please consider making a donation to the trip

Visit the Bike Adventure Facebook page to send words of encouragement

Check for updates from the team on the Bike Adventure blog

Meet the Bike Adventure Riders

Posted From TAP
4 volunteers hurt when van crashes during
cross-country trip to raise money for Fuller
Center

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: June 08, 2011 - 12:49 pm



ATLANTA — Four volunteers of a Georgia nonprofit were hurt in a van crash in Idaho as they traveled across the country on a fund-raising trip, officials with the organization said.

The injured volunteers were among a group of eight cyclists who were riding in a van when it crashed Tuesday night near Burley, Idaho, said Chris Johnson, a spokesman for the Americus-based Fuller Center for Housing.

A rear tire on the van blew, and the vehicle landed on its roof, he said.

The injured volunteers — three from Georgia and one from Colorado — were taken by ambulance to a hospital, where they were treated, Johnson said. All four have been released from the hospital, Johnson said Wednesday.

The volunteers are cyclists pedaling a 3,600-mile route from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Fuller Center. The nonprofit builds and repairs homes.

The injured Georgia volunteers were identified by the Fuller Center as Ashley Rae Moore, 22, of Athens; and newlyweds Michael Tiemeyer and Krystal Goodwin, both 29, of Savannah. Also hurt was Tom Weber, 69, of Colorado, who suffered a dislocated shoulder, officials said.

The van was towing the trailer for the Fuller Center Bike Adventure team.



From President Of Fuller Center:


Yesterday evening, around 5pm Mountain time, our Bike Adventurers were on their way from Denver to Boise on Interstate 84-West when a back tire blew. The van and trailer twisted and swerved and then flipped, landing upside down.

Eight passengers - five men and three women -- were inside. It's a miracle no one was seriously injured. One of the passengers did suffer a dislocated shoulder and the others escaped with minor scrapes and bruises. Unfortunately the van and the trailer are completely totaled, but the team is in good spirits and doing their best to stay on schedule.

Their biggest need at the moment is finding a replacement van. If you know of anyone willing to lend or donate a 12-15 seat van, please let me know right away.



Thank you for keeping the Bike Adventure team in your thoughts and prayers as they regroup and move forward with their nine-week journey from Washington State to Washington D.C. scheduled to kick off this Sunday, June 12th from Seattle.

We are so impressed and grateful for this dedicated group of volunteers who are showing incredible grace, resilience and courage, and thankful to God for protecting them from harm.

For updates, to donate or to send words of encouragement:

Bike Adventure Facebook Page
Bike Adventure Blog
Bike Adventure Event Page
Twitter
News Story about the accident

You can quickly and easily leave comments on Facebook, Twitter and the Blog listed above. I know it would mean a great deal to the riders to hear from you.

In Christian friendship,

David's Signature

David Snell
President, The Fuller Center for Housing

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