OC Woman Writes Emotional Thank You Letter to Good Samaritans

Four Good Samaritans in Coto De Caza Save Two Victims From Burning Vehicle Nov. 3

(Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca) - On Wednesday, Dec. 13th, minutes before the 7 PM start time of Rancho Santa Margarita City Council’s Regular Meeting, a tall woman, with shoulder length brown hair, movie star good looks and a perfect complexion, quitely approached two Santa Margarita Catholic High School students — Jeffrey Bounds and Alex Schrier, who sat attentively in a row of seats with their family. The woman, dressed in a conservative black tailored dress and matching black shoes, softly introduced herself to the boys. Her name was “Jessica.” She wore a large neck brace to keep her upper spine mobilized. But she also had a glow about her and a huge grin, as she told the two SMCHS baseball players that she was the woman they helped rescue from the burning vehicle in Coto de Caza late Friday night, Nov. 3.

“Jessica” wrote the following letter to the boys, along with the two other Good Samaritans— Eben Benade, Matt Nellor and the Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter/Paramedics, who were all responsible for saving her life that night in South Orange County...

“....SUDDENLY THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE. I heard the loudest crash sound I had ever heard, and I went black. I woke up to see flames approaching me. I couldn’t move. The driver was dead weight on me and my upper body was useless. I wanted desperately to live. The best I could do to save myself was to weakly (and this was with all my might) kick my legs to try to get him off of me. The strongest part about me was my voice and I screamed with everything I had, “Get him off me! Get him off me!” I had never felt such terror, not even in my worst nightmare. Then I heard voices just outside the vehicle, and I felt a slight bit of hope. I continued to scream and scream to let the people belonging to those voices know how much I needed them. When I felt the driver being pulled away from me, I was relieved, but knew I was still in jeopardy. Then, when I felt hands on me to pull me out, I passed out again, but this time out of exhaustion, and feeling I was safe.

How do I thank you for saving my life?

That question has been on my mind since that late evening of November 3rd. I think everyone can agree it is impossible. What is in my heart is something I have never felt and, though overwhelmingly grateful, can never fully express.

Every single day, I am grateful I am not in a burn unit...or worse. The quick thinking and action by the four of you are the reason why.

What you may not know is that November 3rd was my Birthday. Many people say, “Oh no...I'm so sorry you went through this on your Birthday.” To then I reply, “I received the best Birthday present I have ever been given: I got to live.”

Enter the Orange County Fire Authority. Watching them put out what I consider to be an enormous fire from a small car was awe inspiring. Standing in front of that threat to contain and extinguish it took so much bravery.

I think I read that none of you want to be considered a Hero. I hope you don’t mind if I do, anyway. :)

Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

https://www.facebook.com/RPGNe...

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