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SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Guatemala died after being hit by a truck.
Elder Josh Burton of Cardston, Alberta, Canada, was injured while performing service with other missionaries and some LDS members in the Cobán Stake on Saturday July 20, according to a statement posted by the stake.
While performing service, Elder Burton and six other people were struck by a truck that went down an embankment. Elder Burton was transported to an area hospital where doctors said he fractured two vertebrae, a broken shoulder and had a concussion.
Elder Burton died Tuesday after suffering several heart attacks, according to the stake's Facebook page. "Our beloved brother Josh Burton (Elder Burton) is ahead of us beyond the veil … in its infinite wisdom, that was the Father's will," the statement said (translated from Spanish). "We are deeply thankful to God for allowing us to see his hand after our sample of faith, our prayers and fasting allowed us to see against all odds."
Elder Burton was a pianist and composer and was expected to return home sometime in November after serving in the Guatemala Cobán mission.
An account has been set up to help the Burton family pay for medical and funeral costs associated with the accident. Donations can be made at any Zions Bank under the account name of Kimberly Symes. Symes is Elder Burton's aunt. Zion's bank required that the named person of the account have a social security number, which neither Elder Burton nor his parents have as Canadian citizens.
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*KSL.com
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