Published on June 10, 2024, 12:31 am

Image source: Fox News

A leisurely family vacation took a tragic turn for a New Jersey pastor and his family when their young daughter, Lucy Morgan, lost her life in a freak badminton accident. The six-year-old was inadvertently struck by a piece of the racket that had become dislodged during an active game between her siblings while she was watchfully sitting on the sidelines.

Lucy Morgan, the child of Jesse Morgan – identified as a pastor at Green Pond Bible Chapel in Newfoundland, New Jersey – was partaking in a peaceful family break at a waterside rental cabin in Limerick, Maine when the incident took place. According to trusted news outlets like the New York Post, these moments of tranquility were shattered following lunchtime when Lucy became an accidental victim of a game of badminton being played by her siblings.

During an intense downward swing, the aluminum shaft separated from its wooden handle causing it to fly towards Lucy and penetrate her skull. Despite immediate medical intervention and desperate attempts to save her at Maine’s Medical Center in Portland, she tragically succumbed to severe brain damage early Wednesday morning.

Her father recounted their struggles with this devastating loss through openhearted blog posts describing how Lucy’s trauma resulted in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy which extensively deprived her brain of oxygen. Although medical staff performed successful surgery to alleviate pressure on her brain, it ultimately led to complete loss of brain function and independent breathing capability.

Lucy’s three siblings – Silas aged 10, Shiloh at 8 years old and four-year-old Atticus – are grappling with waves of guilt and grief over this heart-rending event. The catastrophic aftermath has followed them back home to New Jersey where Pastor Morgan struggles with poignant reminders such as Lucy’s traditionally occupied seat currently filled with chicken nuggets.

Maine State Police have confirmed that this hideous injury occurred unintentionally during playtimes and stated clearly that enough force was exerted in the accident to cause severe and immediate damage.

Lucy’s funeral is planned for June 15 at Green Pond Bible Chapel where her father currently serves. Despite the ongoing anguish, Pastor Morgan hopes the memorial can serve as an emblem of hope and unity amid unbearable loss.

Through additional blog posts, he opened up about finding glimmers of grace during this unbearable tragedy stating – “like gold at the bottom of a deep dark well, there was and are signs of God’s grace”. The family has been overwhelmed by supporting messages, prayers and shared tears across their Christian worldview enhancing community support and offering a certain element of healing.

Pastor Morgan also highlighted other signs of grace expressed through his children growing closer to their wider family, hospital staff bonding with them emotionally, getting to spend final hours with Lucy despite painful goodbyes and numerous other acts that left deep impacts on them. He ended his note emphasizing how they needed divine grace most when faced with the harshness of returning home without Lucy.