On January 16th, at around 3:30 a.m. Jeffrey was in an accident on Saint's Delight Church Road and Purifoy Road. We currently still really don't know what happened, he had been texting up until around 3:23, and it stopped. It was late, so maybe he fell asleep. He was found around 5 o'clock by Thomas Hall (Pete), a high school friend, and someone that lives right in the neighborhood.
The first tones for the VFD went in around 5:15'ish. The location of the accident was so close to Little Swift Creeks lines and Tri Community Lines, that actually the WRONG Fire Department was called. It should have been LSC's but Tri-Comm. was called. It took two tones, to get them, but once they did, they were in root. At home several people were roused from their sleep by the tone, that should have been theirs. Keul, Ira and Joshua Whitford all heard it go in, and all knew it was their call. But instead of canceling the call or TC, and claiming it as their own, they let the call go through. Unbeknownst to them, it was their brother being rescued, and airlifted to Pitt Memorial Hospital, in serious condition.
The very first person that found Jeffrey, in my opinion found him by the GRACE OF GOD!!! Pete, a school mate of Jeffrey's was on his way out, to go fishing this early, cold morning. He was headed from Caton to Bridgeton, traveling on the side of the road, that Jeffrey had run off of, and was off the edge, down a slope, and hard to see. Pete said he had already met 2 vehicles, going towards Caton. But as he passed by Jeffrey's truck, something caught the corner of his eye, and he stopped to check it out. I believe he knew it was Jeffrey immediately. He made the first initial call to 911, and called a fellow firefighter to see if he could do ANYTHING for Jeffrey. Since he was pinned in, he was told just to stay there with him. Pete already realized that Jeffrey's truck motor, and tailpipe were cold. He didn't know how long he had been there, but Jeffrey had very little radial pulse, and was cold to the touch. But he knew he was alive, because he was breathing. (this is all stuff we were told later, and I may have some details wrong, but they are close)
Jeffrey was transported to the main Fire Department, by ambulance, and was airlifted to Pitt. Then the wheels started rolling.
Jeffrey being known by the neighboring Fire Department guys, knew that he was kin to Keul and Ira, but they started making "courtesy calls" to try to get word to us. First calling Keul, and then Keul calling Ira. Ira wanted to double make sure that it was indeed Jeffrey before spreading the word to us. After confirmation, he called mama, who called me, and finally after about 20 more minutes I was finally contacted by Office Lightshoe. During all of this, and the time we had actually left for the hospital, Charlotte was already on her way, as Keul had told her, and she took off. She actually beat us to the hospital, and actually signed some papers for his admittance on my behalf.
Initial reports on Jeffrey were VERY scary. His temp had fallen to 93 degrees, from being exposed in the cold for what we figure was around an hour and a half. He had a broken femor and a brain injury. Later in the week learning he had a broken arm in two places also.
Following this intial post, I will start listing the Status Updates that I put on facebook, which will recap most events.
Love you all
Gwyn
