A dramatic accident involving a motorcyclist occurred on a Polish road on Thursday evening.
It has emerged that the rider was a respected local clergyman. He is in critical condition. Police have released preliminary details regarding the incident, while local residents pray for his recovery.
Shocking statistics from Polish roads
The number of tragedies on Polish roads recently has been staggering. Despite numerous police appeals, such incidents are becoming increasingly frequent.
On Thursday, April 3 alone, there were 78 accidents resulting in 6 deaths and 82 injuries. The incident in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolskie) province was particularly harrowing, as a beloved clergyman was among the victims.
Emergency services respond
Tragic scenes unfolded on Thursday evening. An accident involving a 26-year-old motorcyclist occurred in a town in the Greater Poland region. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and local police have provided preliminary findings.
SEE: 81-year-old woman walking on sidewalk dies; tragedy in Polish town
Priest in critical condition; the faithful pray for his recovery
The accident took place around 7:20 PM on Obornicka Street in Ryczywół. As reported by Głos Wielkopolski, a motorcyclist rode onto a traffic island separating the lanes and struck traffic signs. He was then thrown into a ditch beside the road. Firefighters and paramedics spent a long time attempting to resuscitate the victim. Ultimately, he was airlifted in critical condition to a hospital in Poznań by the Air Ambulance Service.
“The victim underwent resuscitation at the scene for a long time before finally being airlifted to a hospital in Poznań in critical condition,” Junior Brigadier Leszek Walczak of the Oborniki District State Fire Service told Głos Wielkopolski.
Shortly after the incident, it was revealed that the victim was Father Jan Tetzlaff, the parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Anne parish in Kiszewo. Local residents are shocked. That same day, the local village community organized a communal Rosary prayer in the parish church for the clergyman’s intentions. “At 10:00 PM, we are praying the Rosary at the church in Kiszewo for Father Jan, who is in the hospital following an accident. Let us join together in prayer,” read a message posted on social media.
Another Mass for the priest’s intentions has been scheduled for Friday. “A Holy Mass for Father Jan’s health will be held today at 6:00 p.m. at the parish church. Let us join together in prayer,” reads a post on the Kiszewo Village profile.