I’d like to express my gratitude for a number of people who helped me when I had an accident on my bicycle on Aug. 7. My tire slipped on wet railroad tracks in Auburn, I toppled over, and wound up with a broken hip, although at the time I figured it was just a sprain.

A carload of people, including a physical therapist, stopped and helped me, and advised me to get an X-ray. That advice probably saved me from needing an artificial hip, because the surgery to repair the hip kept the joint alive.

Another driver stopped and gave me a bag of ice, and several others stopped to offer help. The ambulance driver and EMTs were very kind and efficient, and transferred me to the ambulance without any pain. The people at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston were wonderful, and their newly expanded emergency room is very pleasant. The hospital has a staff of caring and competent doctors and nurses, who made me feel at ease. I was able to go home the very next day because the pain was gone and they’d pinned me back together so well.

I also am thankful for my co-workers at Harriman Architects and Engineers, who rushed to the scene to help out.

I’m glad I carried my cell phone, and that I wore my helmet. Bicycling is my favorite sport and very healthy, but a number of people have had accidents this year. Things could have been much worse.

David H. Brown, Raymond


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