Thanks: Stranded driver found help at Gordon College

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February 21, 2012

Thanks: Stranded driver found help at Gordon College

The Salem News Tue Feb 21, 2012, 04:30 AM EST

To the editor:

I am writing about an incident that occurred on Jan. 31 of this year.

My car broke down on Route 128 about 3:45 p.m. I couldn't believe I'd left my cellphone at the office. Of all days to break down!

I was close enough to Gordon College that I was able to hop the fence, then make my way down the slope of broken branches and high piles of leaves.

I am very thankful that my muscles were working on this day, as I have issues with them and even have a handicapped plate. I am also very thankful that it was daylight, there was no rain or snow, and it was unseasonably warm.

I am thankful for a young man named Jake who let me use a phone to call AAA, where the operator told me I would be "red-flagged" since I was on the side of a highway.

Sadly, AAA couldn't find me. After waiting an hour I went back down to the college to call again.

I also needed to call the day care provider, as I was concerned she would be upset that I was late and had no way of reaching me.

When I called AAA the second time, they said they could not find me, even though I was very clear with my directions. They said they would be out within 20 minutes and I was once again "red-flagged."

As I got back to my car, it quickly turned dark. I sat and waited again.

I am not one to get nervous, but I had a feeling in my gut that no one was coming and started to tear up a little. There was no way I could walk back down the hill in the dark, and I wasn't sure what to do.

Just as the tears started to roll, I saw what I thought was a tow truck. To my surprise, it was Jeff O'Brien from Gordon College, who had earlier heard me make the call to AAA!

It was dark, and he had a hard time finding my battery to get the car going. But he and his son did. By the time we were done and had left, it was at least another 45 minutes since my second AAA call.

I can't express how very thankful I am to Jeff for saving me, as it is now clear AAA was never going to make it.

Carla King

Danvers