Handed A Baby Though A Window

I'll never forget it. Driving down the interstate with friends to sit with a student in a hospital several hours away, I came upon an accident that just happened moments earlier. I slowed down my vehicle as fast and safely as possible, only to discover the family was still in the over turned van, windows shattered, would be good samaritans frantic in their efforts to help. It was like I was thrust into the accident scene itself. It still replays so slowly in my mind, First Aid kit in hand, with no idea how any of it would help the chaos. There were immediate shouts to get the babies out. Prayers for wisdom rushing through my head. God what do I do!? More than one baby? One was terrifying, more than one was hard to bare if they weren't rescued soon. I joined with several other men, the smell of gasoline pierced my nostrils, not knowing when things were going to go up, in rolling the van right side up.

At that moment, a baby was handed out the window, to my left. The image of seeing a 3 month old's legs unscathed by the wreckage being handed to the person beside me, as we were grunting to push the van over was surreal and refreshing to see the baby unharmed. The other child had a cut on the forehead, and he was pulled out with the childseat screaming. EMS still hadn't arrived. Adults were still in the van. I helped pull the mother out of the van, my friends were on the side of the van helping others out.

As we rolled the van over, to my horror another man was about to be crushed by the van, so 10 men pulled the van back enough for him to move. He was inside the van, trying to help the occupants out. None of us knew too much about rescue, but we knew we must get the occupants away from the potential inferno. Gasoline was everywhere.

EMS arrived, stabilized all the victims, who were removed safely at this point. One victim on the other side was only moving her head, while her body lay motionless. I prayed as hard as I knew how. God help this family!

On the way to the hospital to see a student, all of us were silent for quite some time. Knowing that we were placed there at the scene to help. We prayed for the family.

One thing all this did to me, was to realize that people need our help, and we must be willing to stop our "plans" to help. We had planned to help a friend who needed us. Instead we helped those who needed us sooner. Another thing I realized was the precious value of life. None of us know when a tire will blow or what the outcome will be. Hold your family and friends close to you. Take nothing for granted. Love God and others fiercely.