|
|
Post by Autumnbriar on Feb 11, 2009 13:00:34 GMT -5
Wagon Teamster Recovering I spoke with Mississippi Highway Patrol, Sgt. Mike Cain this morning for an update regarding the accident between Bob Skelding and a semi-tractor trailer. On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at approximately 11:27am/EST, Wagon Teamster, Bob Skelding, was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 45 toward Meridian, Mississippi. Visibility on this two-lane country road was good, under a partly cloudy sky. For reasons yet to be determined, the semi overtook Bob's and struck the back of his wagon at full speed; estimated to be between 65-70 miles per hour. Dolly - Wagonteamster.com The impact of the semi totally destroyed the wagon and ejected Mr. Skelding clear of the vehicle; however, two of his Percheron horses, reportedly Doc and Dolly were killed upon impact. The two other Percheron horses, Joyce and DeDee are being cared for by local veterinarian, and are expected to recover. Joyce - Wagonteamster.com Bob was taken, by ambulance, to Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi where he underwent surgery to repair undetermined internal injuries. Bob is expected to recover and is currently in the Rush Hospital ICU; standard procedure for this type of injury, according to Sgt. Cain. Bob's website has been flooded with posts of support, prayers, and well-wishes from all across the nation, as it seems the journey of a man taking life one day at a time brings all of us to the roadside to cheer him on. And there is a host us standing alongside Bob with our hearts and hands raised in chorus for healing and hope for Mr. Bob Skelding; Wagon Teamster. www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/dakotah-drives/2009/feb/11/wagon-teamster-recovering/ |
|
|
|
Post by bentoakstables on Feb 11, 2009 13:53:27 GMT -5
This is a sad day for all of us who have been keeping up with Bob and his journey. I had the pleasure of meeting him on Saturday with my husband and 3 yr old little girl.
Just wanted to note that Doc and Joyce are the surviving two horses.........
DeeDee and Dollie...........run carefree over that Rainbow Bridge.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Autumnbriar on Feb 11, 2009 14:16:45 GMT -5
The confusion was because it was reported that two mares survived, and that the grey mare had a short tail, making her dee dee rather than dolly, this morning it was clarified that the grey horse was Doc.....
|
|
|
|
Post by deejacobs on Feb 11, 2009 15:00:47 GMT -5
The news of Bob and his accident are just so horrifying to read for those of us who have been living "the dream" with him thru his website. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this very difficult time. RIP DeeDee and Dolly and enjoy the green pastures of horse heaven. For all us following Bob, this is truly a very sad day to lose two pretty dang awesome animals like these two. For Joyce and Doc may the companionship of each other help them get thru their loss of their buddies. And for Clementine, I was so happy to hear that he/she survived this terrible accident and will be able to be reunited with Bob. May God watch over all of these very special and wonderful individuals in life.
|
|
|
|
Post by crestridgesaddlery on Feb 11, 2009 17:00:45 GMT -5
I have been following Bob's Story since he arrive in the State of NY. It was so nice each evening to leave the office and go read his evening blog about the days events. I am deeply troubled learning about his accident. I pray for you a speedy recovery Bob. I hope that this does not discourage your dream, and that eventually it just becomes a speed bump. Please rebuild your wagon and continue ASAP Debra www.CrestRidgeSaddlery.com |
|
|
|
Post by docsara on Feb 12, 2009 21:54:57 GMT -5
Bob set his team up as Dee Dee and Joyce in the rear and Dolly and Doc front. Dee Dee and Dolly were his outside aka to the left team they were the ones killed. He put his strongest horses to his right. I am thinking he might be right handed...
Gentle touch on the lines between thumb and forefinger keeps stronger horses in line which keeps other horses in line.
Just a thought
Dr. Sara
|
|
mels
New Member
Posts: 2
|
Post by mels on Feb 12, 2009 22:02:39 GMT -5
He put his strongest horses to his right. I am thinking he might be right handed... As far as I know and what I was taught when learning to drive, the bigger, stronger horse always goes on the right. Just the way its always been done. And once horses learn to work one side, they're rarely switched. But I have met some folks who will not use a team that can't be switched to work either side. For teams that stay together a long time, they'll even hang out in the pasture to the right or left of their partner. |
|
|
|
Post by docsara on Feb 12, 2009 22:24:17 GMT -5
Yes I learned also to trust the horse. Understanding I am the one in control of the lines.
Huge responsibility. Funny story when I was asked to deliver
Santa from the back of our mall to the front. Iwas saying wak on the Ruby and Santa was saying Ho ho Ho. She finally stopped and looked around at us past her blinders.. like Make up your freakin' mind. Laughs. I asked Santa to just smile and wave until we got to a stopping place. I swore I'd never drive her again around a bunch of nuts in a parking lot w/o a police escort. Folks were driving like bats o/o hades around and towards us.
Ruby came from Dover DE and is VERY traffic safe. The folks in my small town are not..
|
|
|
|
Post by taisjia on Feb 14, 2009 13:44:50 GMT -5
njured wagon driver gets flood of support February 13, 2009 Neal Wagner Donors from all over the country have shown an outpouring of support for a New Hampshire man injured when an 18-wheeler struck his horse-drawn recreational vehicle near the Noxubee-Kemper county line shortly before noon, Tuesday. We have been absolutely flooded with calls from people from here, New Hampshire and all over the country wanting to donate to the fund, said Brandie Graham, an employee at Citizens National Bank in Macon. Bob Skelding, 49, sustained non life-threatening head injuries after a tanker truck struck his horse-drawn RV while both were traveling on Highway 45 South, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The RV was destroyed, and two of Skelding's four horses Deedee and Dollie died. Skelding remained in a Meridian hospital this morning. After the wreck, the Macon Beacon newspaper and Citizens bank in Macon set up an aid fund for Skelding and his surviving horses. While bank officials were not able to reveal the exact amount donated to the fund, they said many donations have been steadily flowing into the fund since Tuesday. There is definitely a lot of interest in it, Graham said. We have been taking calls left and right from people concerned about Mr. Skelding and his horses. Public interest in Skelding's surviving horses, Doc and Joyce, also has been high since the wreck. The horses are doing fine today. They are actually out grazing right now, said Kathy Allen, an employee at Dr. William Calvert's Veterinary Clinic in DeKalb, who is caring for the horses. We have been getting a lot of calls from people concerned about the horses. Some people call wanting to donate, and we direct them to the Citizens National Bank, Allen added. There is definitely a lot of interest. Interest also has been high on several Internet sites. Since the accident, about 4,680 people have signed Skelding's guest book at www.wagonteamster.com. More than 200 people have posted blog comments on www.cdispatch.com in response to stories about the accident. Citizens National Bank continues to accept donations for Skelding's aid fund. Anyone who wishes to donate to the fund should call 662-726-5861, mail a check to Citizens National Bank at P.O. Box 426, Macon, MS, 39341, or visit any Mississippi Citizens National Bank. Checks should be made out to The Bob Skelding Wagonteamster Benefit Fund. Neal Wagner is a Staff Reporter for The Commercial Dispatch. |
|
|
|
Post by sarabz on Feb 14, 2009 15:21:47 GMT -5
Great article - you beat me to posting it!
|
|
ann
New Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by ann on Feb 15, 2009 0:56:55 GMT -5
Actually I had already posted the article from the dispatch on another thread about 3 nice articles to read., so I beat you both to it.  LOL |
|
|
|
Post by nighthawk74 on Feb 28, 2009 10:11:40 GMT -5
Does anyone know about the trucker that hit Bob? Where is he from? Does he realize the carnage he wrought? Has he been in touch with Bob or the family? Have any charges been brought? Would like to know. From a fellow Granite Stater and horse lover.
|
|
ann
New Member
Posts: 26
|
Post by ann on Feb 28, 2009 23:37:03 GMT -5
Below is what I got from a friend that knows the trucker.
He isn't a bad guy, just got in a bad situation. The driver might end up loosing everything over this persons "dream" of traveling on highways unfit for animal traffic.
I won't name him he does live West Point.
He isn't handling the wreck very well, and is concerned about what could happen to himself, and is worried about the guy healing up too. He knows full well how close he came to killing him, and himself.
|
|
|
|
Post by farmer on Mar 2, 2009 6:16:57 GMT -5
What if it had been a car broken down on the side of the road or even a slower moving one that the trucker had hit. Would we be complaining that they did not belong on that road? Just a thought. .... That's why they are called accidents.
|
|
|
|
Post by lehrerin on Mar 2, 2009 22:22:42 GMT -5
Below is what I got from a friend that knows the trucker. He isn't a bad guy, just got in a bad situation. The driver might end up loosing everything over this persons "dream" of traveling on highways unfit for animal traffic.
I won't name him he does live West Point.
He isn't handling the wreck very well, and is concerned about what could happen to himself, and is worried about the guy healing up too. He knows full well how close he came to killing him, and himself.Ann, I believe that these highways are fit for animal traffic....but even if you don't belive that, what if it was a combine and farmer driving slowly with a rack of hay? Or a school bus taking its time? Or a car broken down on the side of the road with a family inside waiting for help? My father was a UPS Driver Trainer for over 25 years. He taught people how to drive Semis and he taught me to drive....he was always telling me to slow down, stop being in such a hurry, and not to follow so closely....seems like others should take dad's words to heart....... My prayers go out to this trucker and his family, as well as Bob and his family.....But to state that Bob was "traveling on highways unfit for animals" is a rather steep slope to start sliding down..... |
|
LOL