A parish priest was hospitalized after his horse-drawn carriage overturned while passing a tractor on Saturday, June 6, dragging the 53-year-old man for several meters during a religious pilgrimage.
The Incident in Greater Poland
The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon during the Fifth Horse and Carriage Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Holy Mountain. The carriage, operated by the parish priest of Chwałkowo, was carrying two additional passengers.
According to the Gostyń County Police, the incident took place during a maneuver to pass a tractor. The horse became spooked, causing the carriage to overturn.
Rescue Operation and Medical Response
As the vehicle flipped, the 53-year-old driver was trapped underneath and dragged by the horse for several dozen meters. Emergency services, including the fire department and medical rescue teams, responded immediately to the scene.
An air ambulance was dispatched to transport the injured priest to a hospital in Puszczykowo. Official reports indicate he suffered from severe bruising and extensive injuries to his head, arms, and legs, requiring medical care for over a week.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office as a traffic incident. Authorities have urged increased caution when operating horse-drawn vehicles on public roads.
The Holy Trinity Parish in Chwałkowo held a special mass for the priest’s recovery, during which horses were also blessed. Pilgrimage participants have expressed their support through communal prayer.