Rollover victims Burundi choir members

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - The 15-passenger van that overturned along I-96 Sunday carried 17 members of Lansing's Burundi Choir who were returning home after a concert in Grand Rapids.

Ombeni Erasto died in the crash , and his sister reportedly lost part of her leg. Several other people were injured, and many were not wearing seat belts.

The group includes many Burundi refugees who fled their country during the civil war and ended up in Tanzanian refugee camps.


The choir was part of the Epicenter of Worship Church in Lansing. Several people from the church, plus Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, were preparing to travel to Grand Rapids to be with survivors of the wreck.

Pastor Sean Holland told 24 Hour News 8 the strong bond among his members is helping them deal with this large-scale tragedy.

"Sixteen people in a van that flips and goes into a ditch and we come out with one fatality is, in and of itself, somewhat of a blessing."

24 Hour News 8 will have more information later.