Child Killed, Passengers Injured In Amish Buggy Crash

Authorities say a child was killed and five other people were injured when a vehicle struck an Amish buggy in Lafayette County Sunday. The child was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department. A press release states that the crash occurred at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday in Darlington Township. 27 year old Steven Esch and 27 year old Annie Esch and their four minor children, all of rural Darlington, were riding in a buggy on Highway 81 when a pickup truck struck the buggy from behind. Several of the occupants of the buggy were ejected, suffering significant injuries. Steven and Annie Esch and their three children were taken to hospitals. One child was airlifted by MedFlight to UW Health Hospitals and Clinics. The driver of the pickup, 22 year old Carson Lobdell of rural Darlington was uninjured. The horse pulling the buggy suffered minor injuries in the crash and was later located at a nearby farm. The buggy was demolished and the pickup sustained severe damage. The sheriff’s department was assisted at the scene by the Darlington police and fire departments and Lafayette, Shullsburg and Belmont EMS services. Highway 81 was closed for approximately three hours because of the crash. Authorities are investigating the crash.