Three members of a family of 25 who starred in their own reality TV show have died in a car crash.
Meet the Putmans, which provided a look into the hectic life of the Michigan family, aired on TLC in 2017.
Yesterday, the family announced the deaths of Bill ‘Papa,’ Barb ‘Neenee,’ and Megan Putman in a statement on social media by Isabelle Putman.
Four other members of the family, including Megan’s husband, Blake, and their children – Lulu, Alena and Noah and niece Gia – were injured and remain in the hospital.
The three were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Tuscola County, Michigan, on Friday.
A statement read: ‘Dear Friends and Family, I come to you with a heavy heart asking for your prayers. Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan.’
It continued: ‘We are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them. Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control.
‘We ask for your continued prayers for Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah, and Gia as they recover, and for our whole family as we walk through this deep loss. Even in this valley, we will praise Him. We trust that His plan is perfect, and that one day, we will be reunited in Heaven.
‘Because of [Jesus’] sacrifice, we know Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan are not gone forever,’ Isabelle wrote.
‘They are alive and whole in Heaven, standing before Jesus, hearing the words we all long to hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).’
The family thanked its fans for the support and love, saying it ‘means more than words can express.’
‘Please continue to lift us up, that our hearts remain fixed on the truth that Jesus conquered death so we could have eternal life.’
The tragic accident happened after a semi-truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the family’s car, which was carrying eight passengers.
The injured family members were taken to the hospital via helicopter, the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook.
The truck driver, 55, from Florida, and his passenger were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The driver was then arrested with formal charges pending, according to police.
‘We are asking the public to please pay more attention when driving. We are having far too many crashes that are destroying people’s lives,’ police said in a statement.
The Putman family is known for having all 25 family members live under the same roof in their TLC series.
Their series later spun into a YouTube show called Growing Up Putman.
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