Published: August 23, 2008 09:10 pm         

Heroes

Firefighters, lawmen, others made valiant effort to save life

Thursday’s accident on the Coalfields Expressway in Raleigh County was a scene with some of the most difficult challenges emergency responders could ever face.

Eric Matthew Wiles, 29, of Pineville, was killed in the crash after his vehicle veered off the roadway, narrowly missing a guardrail, then tumbled 250 feet down a steep, rocky embankment.

The man somehow survived the crash itself, but was hopelessly trapped within the crushed metal of the 1999 Acura he was driving, eventually succumbing to his massive injuries.

But, he did have a chance, thanks to the efforts of Sophia City, Sophia Area and Lester firefighters who used a plethora of specialized equipment and rescue techniques to, piece by piece, cut and pry away the car that was crushed around him.

Plus, emergency medical personnel from Trap Hill and HealthNet V helicopter provided advanced life support procedures as rescuers worked at a fevered pace for nearly two hours to free the Pineville man.

But one thing many folks don’t normally see was lawmen working side-by-side with the rescuers to do everything possible to save this life.

Usually, police at an accident scene are seen performing normal law enforcement duties — directing traffic, interviewing drivers, writing reports, etc. But that was not the case Thursday.

In particular, Sophia Police Chief Tim Sweeney, the first emergency responder on the scene; Raleigh County Sheriff’s Sgt. D.R. Joynes and Deputy Randy White; plus Raleigh County Litter Control Officer Jim Stone abandoned their normal roles and traversed the steep, rocky, weed- and briar-covered embankment, to do anything they could to help Wiles.

Though firefighters had the training and equipment to do the job, the extra hands of these law enforcement officers were invaluable in the efforts everyone made to facilitate this rescue.

This type of cooperation is to be commended.

These officers took to task their motto “to protect and to serve.” To them, these aren’t simply words on the sides of their patrol vehicles, it’s a term they choose to unselfishly perform in the execution of their oftentimes thankless jobs.

And our communities should take comfort and be proud that these are the types of lawmen who work for us.

At the scene, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Steve Tanner, when asked to comment on the accident, said to speak to the firefighters — that they were the real heroes.

We beg your pardon, Steve. On this one, it was a real human team effort.

Your deputies, the other law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS workers, and even construction workers, wrecker drivers and members of the public who contributed to the effort to save a person they didn’t even know are all heroes in our book.

We just wish the outcome would have been better.

But, to all of you who helped in any way, we — and our community — graciously say a job well done, and a heartfelt “thank you.”