On Thursday 28th October, a car accident on the Desert Highway near the ancient city of Petra in Jordan killed nine British Christians who were on their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Two Jordanians and an Egyptian also lost their lives.

Christopher Prentice, Britain’s ambassador to Jordan confirmed to the media immediately after the accident, “I am able to confirm nine British subjects died.” Most of the dead and the injuries are elderly and were thought to be from around the same districts in the UK.

All of the victims had joined the Pilgrim Travel’s 8-day Jordanian tour. Pilgrim Travel, based in Kent, describes itself as “a committed Christian company” which was founded to “provide a unique personal service” to those sharing holidays to places of Christian interest.

On the sixth day of their trip they were travelling on the Desert Highway between Wadi Rum and Madaba on their way to Mount Nebo, from where, in the Bible, God showed Moses the Promised Land.

The Methodist Church of Great Britain issued a statement on Friday 29th October to announce the sad news that a number of those caught up in yesterday’s Jordan bus crash were Methodists from the Newcastle, York & Hull districts.

The first identified victim of the crash was Margaret Haslam, the wife of a retired Methodist minister from York who was leading the tour. Her husband, the Rev Graham Haslam, was injured in the accident.

The Revd. Stephen Burgess, Chair of the York & Hull District, and the Revd. Terry Hurst, Acting Chair of the Newcastle District both said that the whole church is shocked and saddened by the news from Jordan.

“All Methodist and others locally will be remembering those involved in their prayers, and will be offering support to families and friends at this terrible time,” the statement wrote.

The Revd Will Morrey, President of the Methodist Conference, and the Revd David Deeks, General Secretary of The Methodist Church also stated, “Ours sympathy and prayers are extended to all involved, and especially those in York & Hull and Newcastle who are working to support and help the families and friends of the bereaved and injured.”

“The whole church will continue to give all it can in practical, spiritual and pastoral care. As a church we have lost good friends and beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are deeply upset by this news.”

When the terrible accident happened, the Prince of Wales, was touring the Middle East. Accompanied by King Abdullah, the Prince visited survivors in the King Hussein Medical Centre in the capital, Amman, last night.

“My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones in this ghastly accident,” the Prince said, “My thoughts and prayers are with their families and those who are being treated by the excellent staff.”

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are generally encouraged by churches and Christians. Apart from visiting the biblical sites associated with the life of Jesus and to strengthen personal faith, contact or worship with indigenous Christians such as the Arabs, Jewish and Palestinians, are the possible significance of pilgrimages. Jordan is a popular destination and 35,000 Britons visited the country in the first eight months of this year.