This is what to do at an accident scene
When an ambulance flipped on Interstate 10 in Gulfport on Monday afternoon, hundreds of cars streamed by, slowing to take a gander before heading on down the road.
Fortunately for those trapped in the vehicle, Shelly Thibideau and her husband, Robert, of Gadsden, Alabama, were driving by. And they did the right thing. They stopped.
Shelly Thibideau climbed through the window and held the driver. Her husband cut the seatbelt, freeing the driver. In the back, a paramedic was trying to free his patient, still strapped to the gurney that was on its side. Shelly Thibideau said the paramedic was fairly new to the job but kept his cool and they got the patient out.
By then, other first responders were on the scene, clearing limbs blocking the ambulance’s back doors. ASAP EMS Service of Laurel, which owns the ambulance, reported all three people in the accident were fine.
The last few days have been tough. Police killing civilians. Violent protests that followed. The deadly shootings of five police officers in Dallas.
If there ever was a world hungry for some good news, it is this one.
The next time you come upon an accident, we hope you’ll remember the two people from Alabama who weren’t too busy nor too indifferent to help.
The editorial represents the views of the Sun Herald editorial board. Opinions of columnists and cartoonists are their own.
This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 6:00 AM with the headline "This is what to do at an accident scene."