Despite Heroic Efforts To Save Her, Ledyard Woman Dies In Crash

LEDYARD, CT—Brian Williams tried to save her life, but Sadie Ensling of Ledyard died after a Route 2A crash that sent her car into a Preston pond, the Norwich Bulletin reported. Ensling, 36, was traveling west on the roadway near Harris Fuller Road when, the paper reported, her vehicle struck a guardrail before landing upside down in Poquetanuck Pond.

Williams, who had to swerve out of the path of her car, rushed to her aid, pulling her from the car and the pond and performing CPR, The Bulletin reported. Ensling was taken to The William W. Backus Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

According to Connecticut State Police, at just after 9 a.m. Saturday, Ensling of 145 Gallup Hill Road was traveling west when she unsuccessfully negotiated a curve in the roadway. Williams was traveling east when he avoided the crash only to run to try and save her. The paper reported he was treated for minor injuries.

According to online comments on Facebook community pages, other Good Samaritans also tried to help save Ensling.

"People were there to help but sadly the outcome was not good," one person wrote. "Prayers to her family."

Many people have taken to Facebook to offer condolences to her family and friends including boyfriend since 2014, Jamie Moss.

Ensling wrote on her Facebook that people should, "Love Each Other As Much As Possible."

Last year, Ensling created a GoFundMe campaign to help her best friend who suffered a house fire where she and her family lost everything. Ensling's efforts helped raise more than $3,000.

She wrote: "My heart is just filled with so much joy at the outpouring of love, support, & kindness for my dear friend. I can’t thank you enough or even begin to tell you how much this means to us all! And those who donated privately, all the love & thanks to you as well."

Friends and loved ones have been posting tributes the Ensling on social media.

And as her family and friends are at once mourning her death and celebrating her life, they're asking for help. A GoFundMe has been set up to help her family with funeral costs. And on that page, one of the men who pulled her from the car and tried to save her life, Dan Chapman, posted a heartbreaking but beautiful message to Sadie's family:

"...I'm so very sorry for your loss. I made a cross for her and placed it at her final resting place (and) upon doing so, I found her glasses. Would a family member or her boyfriend like these back," he wrote.

Sadie's mother MaryJane Haney responded: "Dan I am Sadie's mom. God bless you for risking your life to save my baby. Thank you for the cross. You are a wonderful man. I cant say thank you enough. If you do have anything of hers I would love to have it."

Many who have donated to the GoFundMe, have also shared stories about Sadie.

Melissa Urban wrote in part, " ...Sadie worked so hard to become the woman she was so proud to be. I wish I had told her how amazing she was for accomplishing everything she had for herself despite the hurdles along the way. I’m angry, heartbroken—she worked so hard for the happiness she found. One day without her presence in the world and the sun doesn’t seem to shine as bright. Tonight, I’ll search the stars and know the brightest one is burning for her."

This post will be updated when funeral arrangements are announced.