ROCKLAND, Maine — The family of a 5-year-old Rockland boy who had his hand severed in a freak accident Tuesday wants to thank the woman who provided initial care to the child.
The boy, whose name has not been publicly released, remains at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after surgery to reattach the hand, according to a Facebook post from a family friend. The posting did not indicate how the surgery went or how the child is doing.
The child, who was riding in the back seat of a car, had wrapped a jump rope around his wrist and the other end of the rope was dangling out the window. As another vehicle drove by the car, the rope got caught on the other car. The vehicle pulled the rope as it was driving away, severing the hand.
The Rockland Police Department posted a notice on its Facebook page Wednesday night asking the woman who helped the young boy to come forward so the family can thank her.
“During the tragic accident involving a young boy on Tuesday night, a woman stopped to medically assist the police before EMS arrived,” the Facebook post stated. “The woman’s assistance was appreciated more than the family or police can express. Unfortunately, we are unsure of the woman’s identity and we, along with the family, would very much like to talk to her and express our appreciation. If you are this woman and read this, or you can assist in identifying the heaven sent woman, please contact the Rockland Police Dept. at 207-594-0317.”
The child was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport and to Mass General. He had to be driven to Boston by ambulance; LifeFlight aircraft could not be used because of poor weather conditions.
The Trackside Station, a restaurant at the intersection of Union and Pleasant streets in Rockland, has organized a “Get Well Noah! Rally & Fundraiser.” The event will be held 5-8 p.m. Monday, July 9, at the Trackside. There will be a raffle to raise money for the family.
The public is asked to donate items or services for the raffle. Call the Trackside at 594-7500.
Bless this woman for stopping to help with what had to be a chaotic, scary, gruesome scene. Wishing healing to all involved…
Who ever you are thank you for helping.
There really are angels on earth..
now that is the definition of a freak accident. god bless all involved.
“Freak accident” implies that the occurrence was not preventable or able to be foreseen.
It’s pretty easy to predict what is likely to happen after wrapping a rope around your wrist and dangling it out the window of a moving car.
This type of occurrence is easily preventable by keeping body parts and other items inside the vehicle while it is moving.
Wrong. “An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity”
I wish there was a way of contacting this family. I’d like to send the little guy and his family a card and maybe a teddy bear to hopefully cheer him up.
Mass General Hospital for Children Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Bigelow Six 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114Room 650
Thank you very much, cyclingmom. Are you able to let me know how Noah is doing? I don’t know him but am very worried.
MassGeneral Hospital for Children
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Bigelow Six
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Noah, Room 650
Thank you so much, Colbylate. Are you able to tell me how Noah is doing? I don’t know him but I’m very worried.
Thanks!
That is a fantastic idea! I’m going to send something too! One of my friend’s daughters was involved in an accident when she was about this age and it was so nice to see a smile on her face with the teddy bears, cookies, stuffed animals and toys she would receive day from the outpouring of the community.
It seems that you are trying to speak for the family of this boy. Scaring this brave lady may not help them in their efforts to thank her “personally.”‘ Are you suggesting that she could be liable in anyway for what happens to this boy’s health outcome? You have overstepped your bounds in a big way.
Have faith they are very good at what they do my daughter lost her hand at the age of 16 and they did everything they could for her.If you see Jane in the recovery PICU your in very good hands she is an angel.I wish you guys all kinds of luck and hopefully they can save his hand but if they can’t just know he will be alright kids some how manage to adjust I know my daughter did.
I am more worried for the little man than I am for his hand. If they save his hand then that’s a definite bonus. I just hope he’s ok.
The good samaritan law will protect her.
I know this family and they are good people who are the type who just want to say thanks! Its pepople like you who make good people afraid to help! God Bless this family! And I might add this little boy is a brave little man who while this ordeal was happening, was still using his pleases and thankyous!
I will be praying that little Noah heals well. Blessings to the lady who stopped to help as well.
Good story! This is the kind of story we want to read in our paper!
Maine, like most states, has a law that protects anyone offering aid in an emergency from lawsuit.
You are a classic example of the old phrase “it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”
any person who voluntarily, without the expectation of monetary or other compensation from the person aided or treated, renders first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance to a person who is unconscious, ill, injured or in need of rescue assistance, shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person nor for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance, unless it is established that such injuries or such death were caused willfully, wantonly or recklessly or by gross negligence on the part of such person.
http://www.heartsafeam.com/files/Maine_Good_Samaritan_Act.pdf
Not paying attention?! He was in the back seat playing with a jump rope! The driver was DRIVING!!!!!!!! You’re perfect? You can drive and watch a kid in the back seat at the same time? Wow. This is most certainly a FREAK ACCIDENT!!!!!!
Love and prayers to all involved!
she is covered under “the good samaritan” clause. Its real-look it up. Go to State of Maine website. Look for Title 14-§164. Immunity from civil liability . You may want to read up on things before you post.