A few months ago, a postal worker drove right into a fence and a pole went right through her – and a woman who was working in an office building nearby ran to help. That woman was recognized Wednesday as a Good Samaritan.
A horrible car crash sent a pole straight through a woman's chest after she ran into a fence in December. Leslie Russell was trapped until Renee Collingsworth helped her and called 911.
"She was stuck there to the seat, it went through her, through the seat and into a piece of metal behind the seat," says Collingsworth.
Renee acted quickly -- that's why she's recognized as a valley hero.
Wednesday, the Mesa Fire and Medical Department held a ceremony to honor Renee and several others for their acts of service in the community.
"Because we have citizens like you who make Mesa a better place to live."
"They're not big incidents that are newsworthy, but the idea that someone made a difference in somebody else's life, it's great to see the emotion involved in that," says Mesa Fire spokesman Forrest Smith.
The award celebrates Renee's quick response to the victim in need.
"Put pressure on the wound, kind of support her head and just tell her they're going to show up. Help is coming, help is coming."
Renee was at work at the time and saw the postal worker crash from her office window in Pinal County.
She says her history as a CPR instructor helped her make the right decisions quickly.
"It didn't scare me as much as I was scared for her and what her outcome was going to be."
Russell is still recovering from her injuries according to the Mesa Fire department.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
