Dear Editor:
On July 23 my husband and I were having a lovely bike ride on the Trans Canada Trail above Summerland toward Faulder. I unfortunately fell and dislocated my ankle and broke my lower leg.
There was no cell service in the area so my husband ran for help while I laid on the trail in excruciating pain.
While I was waiting, a very nice man named Warren stopped to help me. He tried his best to keep me comfortable and keeping me calm.
Next two other men came along, one went back for help (I cannot remember his name), and the other man, John who is a doctor stayed to help. He assessed my injuries but could not do much but provide comfort.
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He and Warren stood behind me to keep the sun off me and just kept me talking to keep my mind off the pain. Making sure I drank some water but not too much as he said I would need surgery.
Later another man came by on the trail, Tom a paramedic. Being a first responder he assessed my injuries but could not do anything at the time, but said he will ride back to Faulder to check if an ambulance was dispatched and come back.
I was worried about my husband as he was gone a long time, so Warren went to look for him. I am not sure how long later but I saw a small blue truck pull up, and the next thing I see my husband walking up the hill drenched in sweat with a big bottle of water.
He had flagged down a young man, Franco, who had driven my husband to come help.
Meanwhile Tom came back and with Franco’s first aid kit and a couple towels and put a split on my foot. There was also a nice couple that also came by who donated one of their towels for the make shift splint. (I did not get their names.)
Franco had a large sling he used for his dog Des. I was put in the sling and they all lifted me up and carried me to the truck and got me in the back seat.
Tom went ahead and said he would meet the ambulance to tell the paramedics I was coming. Franco took his time driving the truck to Faulder to ensure I was not being jarred around too much to avoid as much pain as possible. He had told us that he is always prepared in the bush because his sister is in Search and Rescue, and his mother told him he had to.
Franco did call Search and Rescue as he had a device that pushes out a call. He then cancelled it as with all the help, Franco was able to get me down to Faulder to meet the ambulance. This was a blessing because it would have taken much longer for me to be taken out waiting for Search and Rescue.
I do not know if this was divine intervention or the stars were all in align, but I am just so humbled and thankful with all the care and compassion I received from total strangers. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your help.
I also want to thank Pete and Oli (paramedics) and the doctors and nurses at the emergency department. It was a very busy day there but they took great care of me.
I had to stay for a couple days on the surgical floor and even being short staffed I still received great care. I was not allowed to go home until I had everything in place with mobility devices.
I thank all the nurses, physio department, porters, OT, care aids and operating team, and anyone else that I may have missed. There has been so much negative news of our health care and I know there are gaps but all these caring people made sure I got the best care.
I had an unfortunate accident and now a slow recovery, but I feel very blessed to have such wonderful people that took time to help me.
Eva Goss
Summerland
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