Priest survives horror crash

A priest who spent three summers working in Bellshill has survived a horror car crash in his native Nigeria.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jan 2016, 12:08 BST
Updated 20th Jan 2016, 12:16 BST
Father Gabriel NelsonFather Gabriel Nelson
Father Gabriel Nelson

Father Gabriel Nelson provided holiday cover for Father Michael Brown at Sacred Heart Church from 2011 to 2013.

On Friday morning as he drove to mass he was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

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His car sustained extensive damage and he was badly injured, but by Sunday he had been released from hospital.

The wrecked car after the accident.The wrecked car after the accident.
The wrecked car after the accident.

Father Kevin McGoldrick, parish priest of the joint St Gerard’s and Sacred Heart Parish, said: “It was a real shock to hear about Father Gabriel’s accident and looking at the damage to the car it really is amazing he survived. Clearly God was looking out for him.

“We offer the prayers of both parishes to Father Gabriel and ask that you remember him in your prayers as he recovers from his injuries.”

Mossend and Holytown councillor Frank McNally remembered Father Gabriel from his time in Bellshill.

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He said: “I met him a few times and he was always a jolly fellow.

The wrecked car after the accident.The wrecked car after the accident.
The wrecked car after the accident.

“No one ever had a bad word to say about him and he served Sacred Heart well for the three summers when he provided holiday cover.

“I was saddened to hear about his accident, but hopefully the fact he only had a short stay in hospital means he will soon be on the mend, and my thoughts are
with him.”