Bishop fighting for life after Newcastle Airport crash
09.01.08
An international church leader is fighting for life today after he was hurt in a car smash on the way to Newcastle Airport. Bishop Dr Thomas Mar Markarios, of the Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church, for the UK, Canada, Europe and South Africa, was attending a special service in Sunderland. He was the only person hurt in the crash.
The 82-year-old bishop was the front-seat passenger of a vehicle in a two-car collision as he travelled to Newcastle Airport on Saturday night. Dr Abraham Samuel, the church's medical spokesman, said: 'He suffered chest injuries and abdominal injuries in the accident and needed to have emergency surgery. He has been stable for the last 24 hours, but his condition is still critical and he needs life support.'
Bishop Dr Thomas had attended a ceremony and dinner at St Joseph's Church, Millfield, where he opened the first Indian Orthodox Church in the North East. He was being driven to the airport to fly to Heathrow and connect with a flight to the US after spending 30 days in the UK.
The 70 members of Sunderland's new church are joined in prayer for Bishop Dr Thomas by members of the Catholic church all over the world. Well-wishers from all over the world, including the Middle East, Africa, the US and Canada, have called to check on the bishop's progress.
The minister's brother, Father Lazareus, has flown over from Toronto to be with him and two bishops from India are due to arrive today.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book newcastle airport hotels or newcastle airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great newcastle airport parking and newcastle airport hotels price comparison pages.
