Randy RicheyUnderwent surgery

The leader of a Christian ministry strength team is recovering from surgery to his legs after a car fell on him Saturday during a demonstration near Cave City.

Randy Richey, of Scottsville, founder of the Omega Force Strength Team, was attempting to flip a car as part of team’s demonstration – which is a Christian sermon illustrated by feats of strength.

Richey said a barrel placed under the car to support it before he flips it collapsed, bringing the weight of the 2,600-pound car onto his legs.

He was airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital after the accident, and underwent a four-hour surgery Wednesday.

In an interview this morning, Richey said the car tore the quadriceps muscle on his right thigh and broke the fibula in his lower left leg and tore the patella tendon in his left knee.

He said his recovery time is uncertain but will be at least six months. He said he is confined to a wheelchair but may be released from the hospital this week.

Richey, a former champion powerlifter, said the car flip is “something I had done routinely” as part of the Omega Force demonstration.

But the barrel used Saturday had one end cut open, making it weaker than a barrel with both ends intact, which is what is usually used, he said.

“I got the wrong barrel,” Richey said.

Another Omega Force team member, Terry Jackson, of Scottsville, lifted the car off Richey.

Richey said Jackson had never been able to lift the car before.

“God had his adrenaline flowing,” Richey said. “The good Lord gave him the strength to get it off.”

Richey said Jackson has “stuck with me like glue since then.”

Richey said he told other members of the team to finish the program, which calls for people to commit themselves to Jesus Christ.

“We had some people accept the Lord while I was laying on the ground,” he said.

Richey was one of five team members doing their demonstrations Saturday as part of a Fourth of July celebration at Jellystone Park Camp Resort on Mammoth Cave Road near Cave City.

The car used in the demonstration is a Chevrolet Chevette that has been specially modified for that purpose.

Richey said he remained conscious after the accident and was in a lot of pain, “but nothing like the pain I am in now,” he said this morning.

“I figure God’s got a reason for it,” Richey said. “Sometimes you wonder why … but I believe in my God.”

Richey, 48, founded the Omega Force Strength Team 14 years ago. The team performs its strength ministry in several states, illustrating its Christian message by such actions as rolling up a frying pan that represents sin or flipping a giant tractor tire to represent the story of David and Goliath. Richey said they had 600 people come to Jesus in 2009.

Due to Richey’s accident, the group will have to cancel some upcoming shows, including the Children’s Ministry Expo in Lexington and a fair in Ohio. But Richey said he plans to return to Omega Force after he recovers.

“I’ll be ministering out of my wheelchair for a while,” he said.