A US church community is in mourning after a pastor who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in which his wife died, has himself now passed away in hospital.
Tyus Butler, 55, pastor of Labor of the Fields Church in Anderson, South Carolina, since 2013, was driving a 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle when it went off the road and hit a rail.
He and his passenger, his wife, Anita, 45, were thrown off. Both were wearing helmets. Anita died immediately and Butler died yesterday at Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he had been placed in a medically-induced coma.
The couple had been taking part in a "Look Twice, Save a Life" event promoting road safety.
On its Facebook page the church posted: "This has been a rough 12 days for the Church and the Butler family. Please continue to be in prayer for them as Tyus and Anita are rejoicing in Heaven together now. You will both be missed dearly."
A Go Fund Me account for the couple's youngest two children has raised nearly $3000. The page states: "The reason we are starting a go fund me account is to come up with the money to take care of my dad's two smaller children, my little brother and sister, also take care of his home bills. He is a pastor of Labor of the Field. Right now we are getting temporary custody of David and Addison to make sure they are taken care of and the cost of legal fees. We are having to take time off work and travel to Greenville everyday. Every little bit helps out and we want to thank everyone for the continued support."
The church is well-known for its ministry to addicts and homeless people. It runs a soup kitchen and a rehabilitation programme. Tyus and Anita are remembered, among their other gifts, for their ability to reach out and connect with these people, and how they worked to help them make a better life for themselves.
