MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- WALTERVILLE: Earlier this year, 60-year-old Diane Cardwell of Redmond sustained critical injuries to her neck and spine in a car accident. This month, she and her husband returned to the area thank the volunteers and staff of McKenzie Fire & Rescue and the Springfield Paramedics who responded.

On May 6th, McKenzie Fire & Rescue responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Holden Creek Lane and the McKenzie Highway. An eastbound minivan carrying four people was struck broadside by a sports car, sending both vehicles off the road and causing the minivan to roll over.



Recognizing the number of victims and severity of injuries, McKenzie Responders called for an additional medic unit from Springfield, as well as a Lifeflight helicopter.

The most critically injured patient was Diane, suffering from injuries to her neck and spine. With assistance from Springfield Paramedics, McKenzie responders carefully extricated her for transport to the Riverbend Hospital by Lifeflight.

Weeks later, in a thank you card, Diane wrote, “My surgeon said I was ‘this close’ to having a complete spinal cord injury. Your skill and expertise in carefully removing me from the accident site prevented that from happening.”

Over ninety percent of McKenzie Fire & Rescue’s responders are volunteers who generously give their time to learn life-saving skills. If you want to learn more and make a difference in your community visit www.mckenziefire.com