Letter: Thank You for Saving My Father
Son of crash victim writes of his gratitude to Westborough firefighters.
Dear Westborough Patch and Westborough Community,
First of all, my family is beyond thankful for what is obviously genuine concern for my dad's condition as expressed by those who have commented on Westborough Patch articles concerning the accident and/or provided witness accounts to the Westborough Police Department and the media. It is unusual for me to have found a place of such positivity and hopefulness on the Internet that I am very much afraid my acknowledgement will be wholly inadequate. My family and I are also appreciative of the degree of journalistic integrity we’ve seen at Westborough Patch (I found this site through trying to piece together the events surrounding the accident). The cell phone video and the reservation of judgment displayed in the article updates have made my effort to reconstruct Friday night’s events far easier than it would have otherwise been.
The video demonstrates the strength of character of the witnesses and the Westborough emergency personnel who refused to turn away from my dad during what were likely the most terrifying moments of his life. When the cards were stacked against him in almost every way possible the Westborough community coordinated a successful rescue that demanded a critical response time, an inconceivable level of technical skill and precision, and the strength to remain witness in conditions imminently perilous to all involved. Thank you.
Until earlier today (Sunday, June 24) my dad was in the ICU with first, second, and third degree burns (he is currently in the main hospital). However, they appear to affect what would be considered a minimal percentage of total body surface area. Upon being extricated from the vehicle he suffered an electric shock, which is likely the primary cause of the burns. At some point during the rescue he went into cardiac arrest but was resuscitated by the Westborough Fire Department medics. I can’t confirm if cardiac arrest occurred prior to or after the electric shock, although the latter is most likely the case. He was extubated fairly soon after arrival at the hospital and has been breathing on his own without difficulty for almost a day and a half now. He is conscious, communicative, and eager to leave the hospital. Aside from three fractured ribs and a third degree burn on his right foot he doesn’t appear to be experiencing any seriously immobilizing injury.
When I visited him yesterday one of the first things he said to me was, “This will be one of those life changing experiences, won’t it?” He is doing remarkably well considering the dreadful nature of the accident. Again, it is a testament to the skill of the police and fire departments as well as to the rapid action of the 911 callers who were so crucial to facilitating my dad’s rescue. Again, thank you all for altering what appeared destined to be an outcome radically different from one in which my dad has not only survived but will successfully recover from the injuries incurred.
Sincerely,
Jeff Maxwell
In This article
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Westborough Police Department
45 W Main St, Westborough, MA -
Town of Westborough Fire Department
42 Milk St, Westborough, MA
Jennifer Fields
7:55 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Very happy to hear your father will be ok!
MaryJo Kurtz
8:25 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
This note was a sigh of relief for so many of us who were stunned by the Friday night crash. A lot of prayers were answered. I am so happy to hear that your father is improving. Thank you for sharing this, Jeff.
Marilyn Leffler
8:29 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
What a beautiful letter. I too am happy to hear that your dad is going to be okay.
Terry Gilchrist
8:51 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
What a beautiful and heartfelt letter! I am so glad that your father is ok!
W'boro parent
8:56 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
Jeff ~ Thank you for taking the time putting such a wonderful, meaningful letter together. I live 2 blocks away from the accident and could not help but feel concern for you father. As word spreads that your dad is doing well, I expect you'll see more residents express their happiness.
MaryJo Kurtz
9:24 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
I just spoke to Capt. Lawrence at the Westborough Fire Department who is equally as relieved at this outcome — and certainly thankful for this letter. He said, "In 40 years, I've never seen anything like this," referring to the gravity of this crash and the unexpected outcome. Thank you, Westborough Fire Department!
Wendy Saliga
10:22 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
So glad to hear your Dad's condition is improving!! We too live in the neighborhood and were very concerned for him.
Jeff, you did a wonderful job articulating your gratitude to all. My prayers will continue for your dad's healing and his perspective on his "new life".
Jennifer Todd
11:58 am on Monday, June 25, 2012
So glad to hear your Dad is going to be all right. I was so concerned when I read about the accident and now feel so relieved. Thank you for taking the time to write!
Ross Eldridge
12:01 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
It's amazing how the firfighters go from being public enemy number one, as seen in last weeks numerous comments in the Metro West News about our educational seminar in Westborough, to heroes this week as we do our job. I hope the dozens of people who degraded us unmercifully read this article.
Eileen
12:36 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
It's so great to hear good news for your family. Did you know there are websites that you can set up if anyone wants to donate to help alleviate some of the out of pocket medical expenses.YouCaring.com,GiveForward.com, Fundly.com are websites all designed to help families alleviate the burden of out of pocket medical expenses. Any one can donate as little as $1.00. You can check out the article re: this in the June/July issue of AARP magazine. Love and blessing to you and your family as your Dad heals.
xoxo
Wendy Zingher
4:13 pm on Monday, June 25, 2012
I am so happy to hear the news of your father's recovery. Thank you so much for sharing that with the community. I live around the corner and saw the aftermath of the accident. My children, husband and I were deeply worried about the man pulled from the car. It's wonderful to hear that he has a loving family who is helping him on the road to recovery, and that he will survive and be soon restored to full health.
Jeff M
12:50 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
I wish I could thank you all individually. Your concern and support has been a renewed recognition of the incredibly positive impact the community can have on a family in distress. Eileen, thank you for providing the means to access those resources. Ms. Zingher, I apologize to you and any other residents whose children witnessed the accident. I know that seeing such an event is psychologically traumatic for an adult, let alone for a child.
At the same time, hopefully children were able to see that others deeply care about them, and that there are people who dedicate their lives to technical training in life-saving operations. Even more important is the fact that those same people cultivate the fortitude to give their lives to spare another.Captain Roberts and Firefighter Roche, in particular, touched death last Friday night and came out alive. May this provide the reassurance to both children and adults to not have to live in fear. If I had more concrete means with which to thank them I would most certainly volunteer such.
My dad is scheduled to be released from the hospital today. Thank you all for this outcome and what is the beginning of a great sense of closure to this misfortune.
Jeff Maxwell
MaryJo Kurtz
1:24 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
"My dad is scheduled to be released from the hospital today." Jeff, I got goosebumps when I read this. I am so happy for your family. Thank you for updating us.
Nancy Wright
4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Hats off to Westborough Emergency Services, Patch and you, Jeff. Your gratitude is so refreshing in this age where so much is taken for granted. I wish you, your Dad and your entire family many happy years together.