Car accidents that result in injuries to those involved are undoubtedly tragic events that no one wants to be part of. In some cases however, the generosity and thoughtfulness of those who assist the injured provides a small bright spot. This was the case in a late night crash in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

A 28-year-old woman came to the aid of a 60-year-old man who was pinned to his vehicle by a Toyota Tacoma that struck the back of his car after first sideswiping a telephone pole. When the woman reached the car accident scene, she found that one of his legs had been severed and the other seriously injured.

In response to the scene she encountered, the woman, who does not have a medical background, did what she could to keep the man's injured leg elevated. In addition, she tried to keep him calm, impressing the first police officer who arrived on the scene.

The injured man, who at the time of the incident was in the process of packing up fishing gear he and his friend had been using while fishing on the Allegheny River, was first transported to ACMH Hospital. From there, he was taken, via helicopter, to UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital, located in Pittsburgh. There he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit and was reportedly in critical condition.

Alcohol was suspected to have played a role in causing the accident. Accordingly, the driver of the Toyota has been arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

While the prognosis of the injured man is unknown, it is most likely much better than it would have been had the woman not arrived on the scene when she did. We can all hope that he recovers as quickly as possible and is able to get out to fish again soon.

Source: The Kittanning Paper, "Local Woman Aids Crash Victim," Jonathan Weaver, June 14, 2012