Body of fifth child killed in buggy accident recovered as funeral preparations are made
Search crews on Saturday found the body of an Amish child swept away by a stream after a buggy accident that also left the child’s four siblings dead in Bath County.
Bath County Coroner Andrew Owens said the body was recovered at 11:22 a.m. Saturday.
The Hochstetler family will hold a private funeral, Owens said, but the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home prepared the bodies of the children, ages 1 to 12. Jim Sichko, a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, said Thursday that he had paid those costs.
Anyone who wants to donate to the Hochstetlers can send donations to the funeral home, and the funeral home will give contributions directly to the family, Owens said. Those interested can contact the funeral home at mrgrayfh.com/contact-us, or call (606) 784-4134.
The five children and their mother were in a buggy pulled by a horse. The family tried to cross a low-water bridge when the swollen stream caused the horse to lose its footing on Wednesday, Kentucky State Police said. The buggy tipped over and the stream swept the family away. The mother was able to get out and call for help, police said, and authorities were notified of the accident about 4:25 p.m. Wednesday.
By 1 a.m Thursday, four of the children had been found dead, according to police. All four died by drowning, Owens said.
The fifth child was found Saturday morning, Bath County Judge-Executive Bobby Rogers said in a Facebook post.
“All Search and Rescue crews are safe, and will be leaving the area now that their mission is done,” he said. “Please continue to pray for the family.”
Rogers said the area where the accident happened is known for flash flooding problems when it rains heavily. He said the area received heavy rain for two or three hours Wednesday.
“I’ve been in regular contact with the family since the accident occurred, and they would like for me to pass on their appreciation and gratefulness for the outpouring of support and prayers they have, and will be receiving in the days ahead,” Rogers said in a Facebook post Thursday.
The horse was not injured in the accident, police said.
Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 10:46 AM.