Teen Injured in ATV Crash, Knox and Surrounding Communities Raise Money for Family

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By Echo Menges

Edina, MO – Thursday, January 26, 2023 – The family and friends of Bryant Western, 14, of rural Edina was devastated to learn the teenager was seriously injured in an ATV crash on Wednesday afternoon, January 25.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the ATV crash happened at approximately 2:15 p.m. on a private drive three miles south of Edina.

The teen was taken to the Kirksville Regional Hospital by a Knox County ambulance immediately following the crash.

He was later transported to the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, according to reports from the family.

Western’s family and friends took to social media asking for prayers from the community, which ignited a massive prayer chain that reached far beyond Knox County.

Just 24-hours after the crash, efforts to raise money to help with the teen’s medical expenses were moving forward.

The Citizens Bank of Edina has opened a donation account people can contribute to, and a local business, H2Grafx of Edina, began selling special t-shirts to help raise funds.

Those interested in donating can give directly at the Citizens Bank of Edina. Those interested in purchasing a t-shirt can order through H2Grafx in Edina.

The following message from H2Grafx began circulating on Facebook earlier today: “As many of you know, Bryant was involved in a UTV accident on Wednesday, January 25. He has suffered a severe brain injury. We are all coming together in prayer and support to help his family during their time of need. All proceeds from sales will go directly to the Westerns.”

A Facebook group called “Bryant Western Updates” has also been set up to better inform the community about Western’s progress, send prayer requests and serve as a support system for his family.

Friday, January 27 – Neighboring school districts in Shelby and Schuyler counties began efforts to raise money for the Westerns through a series of in school drives and by pledging money collected at the gates to go to the Western family.

Monday, January 30 – Over the weekend, Kayden Clatt Racing began an online benefit auction to auction off one of Clatt’s race car door panels. All of the proceeds will be given to the Western family for their expenses as  they travel between rural Edina and the children’s hospital in Kansas City, MO.

Those interested in bidding in the auction can on the original Facebook post announcing the auction. A link to that post is available in the public Facebook group “Bryant Western Updates”.

The new Handlebar Coffee Shop in LaBelle, in neighboring Lewis County, also began a fundraiser selling S’mores coffee drinks with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Western family. This fundraiser will last through the month of February. The Handlebar LaBelle is located at 317 State Street.

A prayer gathering for Bryant was held at the Knox County R-1 School District Monday morning at 7:30 a.m.

Supporters were asked to meet at the flagpole to pray for Bryant’s recovery. Roughly 200 people attended despite the frigid temperatures not including the dozens of supporters watching the NEMOnews Facebook live stream video of the gathering and the hundreds of viewers since.

The video is available on the NEMOnews and Edina Sentinel Facebook pages and on YouTube.

The Knox County Middle School is hosting a chili and baked potato bar during the basketball games this Thursday, February 2.