Rev. Moon Hurt in Copter Crash

Founder of Unification Church, 88, apparently has only slight injuries
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 19, 2008 10:05 AM CDT
Rev. Moon Hurt in Copter Crash
South Korean firefighters examine the wreckage of a crashed helicopter carrying the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, in Gapyeong Saturday, July 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Yonhap)

The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church and leader of the so-called Moonies, was among 16 people injured today after his helicopter crashed and burst into flames in South Korea, the BBC reports. The controversial religious leader—traveling with his wife, 11 family members and three crew members when heavy rains forced down the craft—reportedly has slight injuries.

Little more is known about the condition of the 88-year-old Moon, who also founded the Washington Times. One female passenger was seriously injured, and other injured passengers were taken to a hospital owned by the Unification Church. Moon founded the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in 1954 and gained followers in 200 countries before handing the reins to his son this year. (More Reverend Sun Myung Moon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X