Witnesses rescue crash victim

RUMFORD — A woman injured in a Friday night crash could have ended up trapped in her vehicle for hours if not for two men who saw the accident and helped, Rumford police said Saturday.

At 11:09 p.m. Friday Laura Waugh, 28, of Norway, was driving alone on Route 2 when an animal ran in front of her car just west of McDonald's, Sgt. David Bean said.

Witnesses could not tell what kind of animal crossed her path, Bean said. “But we've had calls about a moose in that area."

Waugh swerved, lost control of her car, veered to the opposite side of the road, struck a guard rail and went airborne, Bean said.

Waugh's Mustang crashed down a steep embankment, stopping on its side in a soggy bog.

“Two young men saw it,” Bean said. “They stopped and called 911 immediately.” The two men were Justin Chambers, 19, and Ryan Seekins, 20, both of Bucksport, police said.  Chambers and Seekins scrambled down the embankment and saw the Mustang in several feet of water.

“A battery had come out of the vehicle," Bean said. "They used that to smash out a window. They got inside and pulled Miss Waugh out.”

Waugh was bruised but conscious. “She was disoriented. She couldn't tell us what happened,” Bean said.

Emergency crews arrived and took her to Rumford Hospital, where she was treated and released, police said. Waugh was wearing a seat belt and her airbag deployed.

Chambers and Seekins did a great job, Bean said. If they hadn't been there to help, “there's no telling how long that lady could have been in that vehicle. It was dark. Nobody would have seen the vehicle. She would have been trapped in there quite some time.”

Waugh's 2000 two-door Mustang was destroyed in the crash, police said.

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Comments

roxettelook's picture

thank you boys

im the  mother of the boy(ryan seekins) who helped that girl in the crash ,i just wanted to say im pround of them for stopping and helping her and getting her emerency help now a days so many people just look the other way and dont wanna get involved im thankful the boys were there and helped her good job ryan and justin for helping someone in need, it could have been a bad scene for this girl if you didnt get her out of that car i hope she is gonna be ok love mom

roxettelook's picture

thank you boys

im the  mother of the boy(ryan seekins) who helped that girl in the crash ,i just wanted to say im pround of them for stopping and helping her and getting her emerency help now a days so many people just look the other way and dont wanna get involved im thankful the boys were there and helped her good job ryan and justin for helping someone in need, it could have been a bad scene for this girl if you didnt get her out of that car i hope she is gonna be ok love mom

Troutlily's picture
verified

Thankful

So thankful Miss Waugh is alright.  We actually just hit a moose last week and we weren't speeding.  Oncoming traffic had slowed for the moose, but the headlights obscured the moose until it ran into our lane.  Luckily we had slowed down, even though we weren't exactly sure what we were slowing for.  With the early spring all the animals are on the move early... sometimes it has nothing to do with speed, we should all just try be aware and ready.

bx3mn's picture

good job kids...and ingenuity

good job kids...and ingenuity to go with it. great job.

Net's picture
verified

Thank God for Angels

You guys did a great job... 

prand27's picture
verified

Helpful people

It's nice to know there are still people willing to help. Those two young men did a great job! Thanks for getting involved!

Dontbotherasking's picture

hmmm

sounds like she panicked and may have hit the gas instead of the break.

Blue Eyes's picture
verified

Always someone with a negative!

Never fails...there is always someone to post a negative when there is an accident on here! Can't be...Marooned...that she was following the speed limit and the animal ran in front of her!!! Geesh!!    First...thank God she's okay and thank God  Mr. Chambers and Mr.Seekins were her Angels   there to help.

jasonp's picture
verified

great job guys!!!! thanks for

great job guys!!!! thanks for helping!!!

yaankeesuk's picture

50 miles an hour moron

hey marooned you should take one of the o,s out your name,  you must be one of those who dont use turn signals  and drive 35 in a 50  because thats what the speed limit is after mcdonalds  always something negative to say , moron

jammn050's picture
verified

Accident

All I can say is, "Thank God for those two you men!" They were in the right place at the right time and I believe that God put them there! And, "Thank God the young woman is okay." Could have been a completely different outcome had those two young men not been there! God Bless all of you!

anne066's picture

Accident

Wonderful to hear about these two young men helping . This woman was very fortunate..

An accident can happen with out speed. Always have to hear some negative.

marooned's picture

What is the speed limit there

What is the speed limit there that she could have done all of that traveling before stopping the car?  I would hate to have her behind me if I was slowing down to turn into the McDonald's!

yaankeesuk's picture

moron in rumford

hey maroon you should take one of the o,s out your name  you must be one of those people who drive 35 in a 50 and dont use turn signals  because thats what the speed limit is up there  always something negative to say , moron.

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