Albuquerque Journal
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — A Rio Rancho Fire Rescue firefighter/paramedic was recently reunited with a woman he cared for after a serious, life-threatening automobile accident.
Colin Rice was off duty and on his way to the gym in May when he witnessed an automobile accident - a person ran a red light, hitting a car driven by Kathryn Williams, sending it spinning in an intersection, according to a Rio Rancho Fire Rescue news release.
Rice called 911 and began directing 79-year-old Williams’ care as she yelled for help and complained of severe neck pain, the news release reads.
“It looked bad,” Rice is quoted saying.
Williams was taken to a hospital where it was determined she suffered a fractured vertebra. She was told if she had moved, or tried to get out of her car, she may have been paralyzed or died, the news release reads.
Williams spent 12 days in the hospital, and was recently moved to a rehabilitation center.
During her hospital stay, Williams told her daughters to find the paramedic who had saved her life, and she was recently reunited with Rice in her rehabilitation center room.
“I treated her like I would want someone to treat my mother,” Rice states in the news release.
“You are my angel,” Williams told Rice, as she cupped his face in her hands.
Copyright 2012 Albuquerque Journal