Reservists help save a life

  • Published
  • By Capt. Denise Haeussler
  • 442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  Falling back for daylight savings gives everyone an extra hour of sleep.  Most people are thankful for that, especially in today's fast paced world.  This is especially true for Air Force Reservists because daylight savings always seems to fall on the once a month Unit Training Assembly weekend.  For two service members in particular, this extra hour played a part in helping them save a life.

Senior Master Sgt. Travis Stickels, 442d Force Support Squadron Superintendent and acting First Sergeant, helped a female car accident victim on Missouri Highway 50 on the morning of Nov. 2 while he was on his way into work.  He was first on the scene and he stayed with her until help arrived.

"I was coming around a curve between Lamonte and Sedalia, a route I drive daily, when I noticed something out of place," said Stickels.  "There were papers strewn around in the field to my right, and I knew that was unusual. At first I drove past, but something told me to turn around and investigate further. I am so glad I did because as I walked into the field, the sun was just coming up, and I could see a car upside down. It had rolled; and it was crushed."

Stickels said he checked the car, but no one was in it and he called 911. He thought it was just car parts everywhere, until he heard what sounded like moaning coming from a few feet away, and as he turned in the direction of the sound, he could see a woman trying to get up.

"It was still a little dark at this point, and I didn't see her at first. I yelled to her to lie back down, and I ran to my car to get a blanket to cover her up.  I assumed she was thrown from the car. Her clothes were shredded and I knew she was cold," he said.
 
Stickels said at this point, the Self Aid and Buddy Care training he's required to complete annually for the military just kicked into gear.

"She had an airway, she was breathing, and the only bleeding I could see was on her face," he said. "The blood was dried, so unfortunately I knew she had been there a while; at least an hour or two.  I comforted her, told her to lie still and that help was on the way."

While Stickels sat with her waiting for help to arrive, a second motorist pulled over to offer help, and it turned out to be Tech. Sgt. Edwin Crampton, a 442d Security Forces Specialist and a Sedalia police officer, also on his way into work. Stickles said he then could hear the sirens coming so he left the girl in the care of Crampton and ran to the road to wave the emergency services in.

"I stayed with her so she wasn't alone, so she knew someone was there," said Crampton. "She was in a lot of pain and trying to move around.  I comforted her and tried to keep her still so she didn't further injure herself."

Once EMS arrived and were attending to the girl, Stickels said he asked if he and Crampton could be of further assistance. They told him no, and thanked him for his initial assistance.  Stickels got back in his car, and continued on his way to work.

Once back in his car, Stickels said he was flooded with many thoughts and emotions.

"I have a wife and two kids; a daughter about that girl's age, and that could have been my daughter," he said. "When things like this happen, it really puts things in perspective to appreciate what is most important in life, and makes you forget about the minor things."

According to Stickels, this is the fifth time in 15 years that he has helped out at the scene of an accident; the second time on this stretch of road.

"It's the right thing to do," he said. "I would want someone to stop for me or my loved one, so I always stop to see if I can help."

Crampton said once back in his car, a bunch of questions ran through his head such as, 'who is this girl, who does she belong to, will she be OK?' He said he was able to give emergency personnel on the scene a quick rundown of what he thought might have happened to cause the accident, and he may be able to get an update on her condition later because of his connections as a police officer.

"Unfortunately on that road at that time on a Sunday, there is not a lot of traffic, so we don't know how long she was there," said Crampton.  "Fortunately it was Reserve weekend and we found her when we did."

Stickels said due to his Air Force training, he always keeps supplies in his car; mostly water and blankets.  He has gone through four blankets helping out at accidents.

"On my way home today, I am stopping at the Army Surplus store to buy more blankets," he said with a chuckle.

Stickels said he is thankful that it was daylight savings, and that this happened on a Reserve weekend.

"I got an extra hour of sleep and I was feeling good, so I decided to go into work early. I am so grateful that I did because I was there in a moment when someone needed help.  If it has not been daylight savings, if it had not been drill weekend, who knows what would have happened to that girl.  She's very lucky and I am so happy I could help."

The girl's condition is unknown at this time.