Bob Skelding, the New Hampshire man whose horse drawn, homemade RV was obliterated by an 18-wheeler Tuesday afternoon on Highway 45 South, is still being treated at Rush Foundation Hospital in Meridian for injuries he suffered when his wagon was hit.
Two horses died at the scene and two others are in the care of Dr. Billy Calvert in Kemper County.
The accident occurred near the Noxubee-Kemper county line south of Shuqualak. Skelding and his team had rested overnight in Shuqualak and were heading south toward Scooba when two 18-wheelers running side-by-side crested a hill behind him. One of the big rigs slammed into Skelding's wagon. The full extent of his injuries is unknown at this time.
Ironically, Skelding, once he began traveling on Highway 45 near Brooksville on Jan. 30, noted on his blog how the four-lane highway didn't have any shoulder to speak of and that "the traffic was really moving."
In mid-August of last year, Skelding began his trek in New Hampshire with a somewhat prophetic statement saying on his blog, "I don't know where I'm going or where I'll end up but I think I'm going to enjoy the people and places along the way."
For most of the more than 1,700 miles Skelding traveled, he was correct in that initial assumption. People and media along his nine state route that wound through New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and northern Mississippi embraced Skelding as someone who was doing exactly what he wanted to do. He was rapidly becoming a symbol in these hard economic times of what it truly meant to be a free individual.
"I'm not supporting any cause, trying to achieve anything, nor am I sponsored by anyone," Skelding wrote. "The sole purpose of this trip is to travel by horse and wagon and meet people."
Skelding's wagon, a 7,700 pound homemade RV complete with full bed, bathroom and kitchen, was pulled by four Percheron horses named Deedee, Dolly, Doc and Joyce. Skelding is a single father of two who worked as an electrical maintenance instructor at the Seabrook nuclear plant.
Many of the people he met during his journey fell in love with Skelding's dream. He noted in his pre-trip blog in August that many of us want to be free of bills and the daily grind.
"My dream is to travel freely about the country, seeing new places and meeting new people," said Skelding during that entry. "It's hard to take the steps necessary to live a freedom type lifestyle. It's hard to separate yourself from your security and material belongings and move completely out of your comfort zone. However, if you're determined enough it can be done. Sometimes life hands you a "Do-Over" - a window in your life where you can do everything over, exactly like you want."
Local News
New Hampshire man still receiving treatment in Meridian
- Local News
-
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
-
Morning update for, Friday, May 25, 2012
-
Celebrating Jimmie
- Feed your mind at Nexus Hero Brown Bag Lunch
-
Man faces kidnapping charges
-
Classroom Visit
-
The Drought Is Over
All Mason Irby was hoping for was to find a way on base.
The Southeast Lauderdale sophomore did that and so much more. Irby's single with two outs in the seventh inning broke a tie, lifting the Tigers to a 6-3 MHSAA Class 3A state championship win at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday, and handing Southeast (32-7) its first title since 1966. -
Ronald McDonald House charity event scheduled
A 54-hole golf tournament is coming to Briarwood Country Club on June 26-29. The Emerald Coast Golf Tour will hold their Pro-Am Classic here in Meridian, but in addition to this all proceeds will go to a great cause – The Ronald McDonald House.
-
UBS in urgent need of blood
Due to unforeseen circumstances this month, United Blood Services has had some drives cancel, leaving the local hospitals at a critical shortage of blood.
- More Local News Headlines
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
