HUBBARD - Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle has issued a statement after he was involved in a car accident in the Bahamas on New Year's Day.

In his statement, Mayor Kyle described his trip to the Bahamas as an "unforgettable experience."

"Learning how to snorkel and swim with marine life was always something my family looked forward to experiencing," Kyle said.

However, on Thursday, January 1, that trip was disrupted when Kyle and his family were involved in a car accident. Kyle says a driver drove "straight into [his family's] van."

"Thankfully, everyone made it out of the accident and subsequent emergency travel alive and on the road to recovery," Kyle said.

Mayor Kyle went on to thank the Hubbard community and those who prayed for and supported him and his family following the accident, noting some Mahoning Valley connections even thousands of miles away from home.

For example, Kyle noted that on the flight to Miami, a paramedic's fire service partner was from Berlin Center in Mahoning County.

"Life always takes unexpected turns, but the small world connections to the Youngstown-Warren area were extremely evident during our tragedy where every little turn we found someone that had a connection and did their best to help out," Kyle said.

21 News also spoke with Jan Kyle, the mayor's mother. She said her son's injuries were the worst in the family, but are not life-threatening.

Kyle's wife and kids are back at home recovering, but Kyle remains in a Miami-area hospital to recover. He is getting reconstructive surgery Tuesday.

Hubbard City Council President Mike Mogg is filling in for Kyle during his recovery period.

RELATED COVERAGE: