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Kudos, prayers deserved after Sunday morning collision - Comments (2) View Comments
Denise Hess - 7/22/2011
By Denise Hess
Times staff writer
Emergency medical technicians responding to the scene of an accident usually have at least some vague idea of what they are going to find when they get there.
Dispatch is usually on the line with someone on the scene and relaying information back to the responding units so that some preparation can take place.
As a former EMT, I was on the scene of many accidents, but I had never been one of the first to arrive, until last Sunday morning, and I would like to take a moment to offer up huge kudos to some total strangers.
To the blonde lady in the pink shirt who jumped out of her car to manage the eastbound traffic, kudos.
To the gentleman in the grey shirt and his wife that were traveling behind the young man on the motorcycle involved, kudos. This man was managing westbound traffic, and I do mean managing. “Move it along, no rubbernecking here!” he would yell to the passersby that slowed to a crawl trying to get a better look. His wife was tending to the couple in the other vehicle involved, I believe. More kudos.
To the local newspaper delivery lady who went to retrieve the accident victim from the car who had left the scene to walk home, kudos.
Liz was an emergency room nurse from Mercy on her way to work who never faltered for a second, even after she realized that the motorcycle victim was a family friend. HUGE KUDOS. To the anesthesiologist who showed up and helped us establish and maintain an airway, kudos.
Thank you also to 15-year-old Sadie, who never hesitated when I asked to her to find first aid kits, pillows and more, and then managed to stay on the line with emergency dispatch where cell service is spotty.
Those were only the few who I noticed in the seconds before I shifted my focus to the motorcycle victim, and there may have been more, so KUDOS to you as well.
Only moments prior we were all nameless strangers, on our way to varying destinations, and within seconds, with very few words, we were a team.
This is the part of human nature that we sometimes forget about, where we put aside ourselves for the sake of another. It is faith restoring to witness that, and I felt very strongly that it should be shared. After all was said and done, we parted nameless strangers, but I will personally never forget any of them or their heroic actions that day.
I have to give praise to the Upper Pine Fire Protection District for their quick response.
I never realized as an EMT how time can literally stand still and simultaneously move at light speed for those involved in an accident or assisting.
As an EMT, I always felt like we were moving so fast Superman couldn’t keep up, but on Sunday it felt like I needed time to slow down and back up so this young man would have another chance. At the same time I could hear the sirens coming out of Bayfield for what seemed like an eternity, but I know they arrived within minutes. KUDOS to you guys!
The young man involved, Karl Hujus from Pagosa Springs, remains in critical condition at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington with a traumatic brain injury, among many others injuries.
He is 23 years old and was on his way to pick up his girlfriend for church. His family and friends have remained in constant vigil and a worldwide prayer circle has been started. Prayers really do work people, so I’m asking you to please dig down and find that part of human nature that you sometimes forget about, and no matter what your spiritual beliefs, PRAY!
Pray for him to find peace and heal, and pray for his family and friends to maintain the strength to help him.
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