Prayers, donations offered after Remsen St. Mary's students injured

LUMEN MEDIA REPORT – A two-vehicle crash just before 1 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the intersection of Highway 75 and C-80 near Hinton, just north of Sioux City, sent several people to the hospital including members of the Remsen St. Mary’s School girls’ basketball team.

According to a press release from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, the accident involved a 2014 StarCraft Prodigy bus that carried two coaches and seven players from Remsen St. Mary’s and a 2016 jeep with four passengers.

In response to the numerous requests from the public to financially assist the students and their families, Remsen St. Mary School administration has established accounts at two financial institutions to accept donations. 

Donations can be made to Remsen St. Mary's Catholic Schools Girls Basketball Donation Account at American Bank in Remsen and all other locations as well as Iowa State Bank in Remsen and all other locations.

Also, those who wish to support the Remsen St. Mary's School traffic accident victims and families, you can VENMO the school at - @RemsenStMarys-Schools

Remsen St. Mary administration advises that three students remain hospitalized following the accident. The school and families are very grateful for the outpouring of prayer and concern from the public regarding all those affected by the accident. Several businesses and organizations in Remsen and the area are donating a portion of their sales ​for this effort.

Within hours of the accident, the St. Mary’s parish community came together in prayer to recite a rosary following the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Nov. 15.

“Prayer is our strength. This weekend we have felt the power of every prayer lifted for our school family. We are truly humbled and touched by the love and support from our surrounding towns, neighboring school systems, and everyone who has reached out,” stated a post on the school’s Facebook page on Nov. 16. 

In the post, school officials asked for continued prayers for St. Mary students, coaches, medical teams and first responders in your prayers. 

"Your faith, kindness, and support mean more than words can express,” the Nov. 16 Facebook post conveyed.

On Nov. 16, a statement released on behalf of Remsen St. Mary noted the school was coordinating with Catholic Charities of the Sioux City Diocese to provide counseling in the days ahead for anyone who requests it. Those details have been shared with students and families by St. Mary’s School administration.

A press release by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office stated, “The bus was stopped on C-80 and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Hwy 75 to travel north. The Jeep was southbound on Hwy 75 at which time a crash occurred in the intersection. As a result of the crash, multiple injuries were reported and multiple individuals were transported to the hospital by ambulance and helicopter.”

The crash is still under investigation by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.

Websites for the financial institutions: https://am-bank.bank/ for American Bank and https://www.iowastate.bank/locations/remsen for Iowa State Bank.