Update: Kenya Plane Crash
August 10, 2009 – 5:07 pmRyan Williams, the AIM AIR flight mechanic who suffered severe wounds from an August 1 plane crash in downtown Nairobi, went to be with the Lord Friday morning. He had just arrived at a burn clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa to receive critically-needed treatment.
Below is an excerpt of a letter written by Charles Mungaithi, Acting Director of AIM International Services:
At 7:10 this morning, Ryan Williams succumbed to his injuries and went home to his Lord and Savior. Chris Hamilton was with him at the time. Dawn was here with Dale in Nairobi, preparing to board a flight to South Africa.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ryan was medi-vacd via private jet and admitted to the excellent burn center at Millpark Hospital in Johannesburg. Not long after admission, it became clear to the specialists caring for him that his injuries were much more severe than previously thought.
The extent of Ryan’s burns put him at great risk for infection and other serious complications. It was simply too much for him, even though he fought a valiant battle for almost a week.
From the moment Ryan arrived in Johannesburg, we followed closely the unfolding news about his true condition. As we learned this, plans to move Dawn went into action.
We were, each of us, shocked and surprised at how quickly things transpired. But God was not surprised…
It is hard to understand what God has planned in all of this. For all of us who have now lost two of our friends, two of our neighbors, our coworkers, our family, it seems like too much to bear - as if losing two is more than twice the pain.
But we have trusted God from the moment we learned of the accident - we have entrusted to God the lives of our friends. And God is trustworthy.
Ryan Williams
Please continue to pray for Ryan’s wife, Dawn, and their children, as well as Tiffany Toews (wife of the pilot who died) and her children.
As well, remember the Emmanuel Baptist Church family in prayer; Ryan served as a deacon among this Nairobi, Kenya church body. Paul Weaver, whose dad, Joel, is the pastor of Emmanuel, posted his thoughts yesterday on Ryan’s home-going.
For those who would like to contribute to memorial fund established in honor of Ryan and Frank, follow the instructions on the sidebar of Ryan and Frank’s AIM AIR blog page.
