When an automobile accident happens, photos such as this are often posted, along with a description of what is believed to have caused the wreck, the make, model and condition of the vehicles, whether or not traffic was affected and whether any injuries resulted.

 

The faces of those involved - accident victims and first responders alike – are typically not included in coverage. Between the time of impact and the time passengers are transported for medical attention, much can occur at an accident site. Medical emergency professionals and sometimes bystanders go into action, making tremendous differences in the lives of others. 

 

Such as the case Monday morning. Bridgeport’s Coordinator of Emergency Services Laura Pysz had just dropped her child off at Cubby’s Child Center and was traveling Route 131 toward Main Street when she came upon the scene of a fresh accident.  The car was lodged against the bank and inside was a woman and her two young children, unable to exit the car because doors were obstructed.  Pysz not only knew the driver – an employee of Cubby’s Child Care Center – but she knew just what to say and do to keep the victim calm until the arrival of first responders, who she alerted herself through the Harrison County Bureau of Emergency Services.

 

Responders Jimmy Glaspell, Mark McClain, Ben Tacy and Aaron Cohen arrived. With assistance, the driver was able to climb through the window of the vehicle. Thereafter, Glaspell and Tacy removed the children. All three were transported to United Hospital Center. No one was seriously hurt.

 

It was Kellie Klinger Fitzpatrick and her two children, 3-year-old Raegan and 2-year-old Daniel, who were rescued from the vehicle.

 

On Thursday, the trio visited Bridgeport Fire/EMS to express their appreciation. Fitzpatrick said it was the least she could do.

 

“My children are everything to me,” she said. “When we were in the accident, I turned around to make sure they were still breathing and alive. Then those rescuers – those policemen and firefighters - came to help them and got them out of the car. I could not thank them enough; first of all for getting them out and second of all, my kids don’t seem to have any major trauma emotionally.”

 

The visit to the fire station enabled the family to say “thank you” in person and it also answered some questions which Raegan had been asking about the accident, Fitzpatrick said.

 

“I thought it was very important for them to go see who got them out of the car,” she said. “I definitely think it was a good thing to show them how policemen and firefighters are there to help in situations like we were in.”

 

Fitzpatrick said that Monday morning, she was en route to Cubby’s Child Care Center as she is most every morning.

 

“Suddenly, a truck came on my side of the road and ran us off the road,” she said. “It was raining so I’m sure the roads were slick.”

 

The very first person she remembers talking with is the driver of the truck.

 

“He was so emotional and crying and kept telling me how sorry he was – over and over again,” Fitzpatrick said. “I told him it was going to be ok.”

 

The next person she remembers seeing was apparently a passerby,

 

“I haven’t figured out who it was and I might never know,” Fitzpatrick said. “He was on the other side and I don’t know if he opened the door or not. Maybe he was there in case we needed something or if something happened.”

 

She next remembers seeing Pysz.

 

“She was the first responder there. She calmed us down and got the situation under control,” Fitzpatrick said. “She knelt down and I figured out who she was. I had met her before through work so that was comforting that someone I knew was there beside us.”

 

Pysz said the family's Thursday visit was emotional for her, too. In addition to a visit and hugs, she received some new artwork for her office, fresh from the hands of the Fitzpatrick children. 

 

“As crazy as days might be, that’s what we do to protect people. That’s what it’s all about,” she said.

 

Fitzpatrick said it is hard to put into words how appreciative she is to everyone involved.

 

“We walked away hardly touched,” she said. “It could have been so much worse and I’m very thankful.”

 

She said she would also like to reach out the driver of the truck.

 

“I feel bad for him. I hope he is doing ok, too.”