The son of noted missionary Nate Saint has been seriously injured in a test accident. I-Tec founder Steve Saint, 61 years old, was struck in the head while working on new technology last week.
I-Tec develops tools, technology and training systems for indigenous God followers to reach their own people with the gospel of Christ through meeting their physical needs, according to I-Tec’s website.
According to I-Tec’s Facebook page, “Steve was conducting a test on a small aluminum airfoil mounted on a rolling test stand when it became unmounted and struck Steve in the head causing cuts to his head and resulting in whiplash. Currently, he has very limited movement capabilities in his arms and legs. Doctors suggest surgery in a few days to help relieve swelling around his spine. This accident was not Maverick Flying Car related, a car, or an aircraft accident.”
The Maverick is a flying car Saint developed. It’s fashioned after the paragliding technology. A mini car is suspended by a parachute, which is powered by a propeller in the rear of the car. The first Maverick is expected to be shipped to Australia this week, where missionaries will be using it to reach the people in rural New Guinea.
Chief operating officer of I-Tec, Troy Townsend told Ocala.com that Saint had some feeling in his fingers and his toes. He says Saint may have surgery this week to relieve some of the pressure from his spine. One email from I-Tec to supporters suggested, “This may end his career as a test pilot for the Maverick.”
In the meantime, pray that Saint will regain all of the feeling in his limbs, and that he will fully recover.
Saint’s faither, Nate, was a Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot who was killed at 32 on a mission to evangelize Ecuador’s Wooodani people. His life story was the basis for the film The End of the Spear.
