right place right time
Akron, OH, Ellet Station Letter Carrier Mike Mullen was returning to his vehicle after collecting mail when he noticed an elderly customer lying in the middle of the road. “It looked like he couldn’t get up,” Mullen said. “He was bleeding pretty heavily from a cut above his eye.”
Mullen called 911, helped the man off the street and used a towel to stop the bleeding. He stayed until the paramedics arrived.
“I guess it was just being in the right place at the right time,” said Mullen.
Not Ignoring a Situation
It’s not a scene anyone wants to come upon, but Whittier, CA, Letter Carrier Ted Snyder didn’t let that stop him from offering assistance and notifying emergency personnel. Snyder was delivering mail when an elderly customer on his route fell and injured himself on a steel rod. He went to the man’s aid, notified a neighbor and called 911.
Calming Hand
Southeast, OK, Letter Carrier Thomas Neal was delivering mail when a customer came out of the house, crying and asking for help. She was certain her husband was having a heart attack or stroke and had dialed 911 but was too distraught to answer questions. Neal took the phone and answered the dispatcher’s questions and remained with the couple until help arrived.
Being Observant
Maple Shade, NJ, Letter Carrier Brian McCouch noticed mail hadn’t been picked up for a few days at a customer’s home so he knocked on the door. He heard a faint cry from inside. He went to a window, looked inside and saw an elderly woman lying on the floor. McCouch tried to open the door to assist her, but it was locked. He called the police and reported the emergency. He stayed in contact with the customer and reassured her until the police arrived. An EMT later told McCouch that the woman had fallen down the steps two days earlier and he most likely had saved her life.
