Woman Seeks To Thank Children Who Stopped, Offered Comfort During 'Worst Day Of My Life'

FRANKFORT, IL — After a traumatic, miraculous event, Samantha McCarthy is looking to thank two children who helped her through the worst day of her life.

Samantha and her mom, who recently beat brain cancer, were on a routine drive to the dog groomer when her mother suffered a cardiac arrest. Samantha took control of the car and steered off the road, ending up in the trees near 80th and Hill avenues, she told Patch.

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People had already pulled over to help and called 911, and Samantha started CPR on her mom.

"There are many moments from that day that are a blur. Trauma has a way of doing that. But there are two people I have never forgotten," she said. "Two children ran to help me."

Samantha believes the two children were around 10 years old, and one was a boy and one was a girl.

Samantha said the little boy asked how he could help and tried to hand her a bottle of cold water. Samantha couldn't stop doing chest compressoins, so the boy reached over and placed the cold bottle on her mom's neck and shoulder.

First responders arrived, and Samantha's mom was taken to Silver Cross. She is recovering "incredibly well," Samantha said.

"There’s really no other explanation than a miracle, along with everyone doing exactly what they were supposed to do in such an unimaginable situation," she added.

"I briefly saw the adults who were with those children, but I never had the opportunity to speak with them before everything became a whirlwind," Samantha said.

Samantha, who grew up in Frankfort, shared her post on social media, hoping to find the children and their family, and reached out to Patch in hopes that she can thank them.

"My hope is that someone might recognize these kids or know who they are," Samantha said. "Since the incident happened at 80th Avenue and Hill Avenue, I realize they could have been local or simply passing through."

Samantha said she also wants to make sure they are okay after witnessing such a tramatic event.

"I also want them to know how much their presence meant to me. During the worst day of my life, they stayed by my side and tried to help in every way they could. Even though they weren’t performing CPR, they gave me something I didn’t realize I needed in that moment. They made sure I wasn’t alone," she said.