Menu
Local angels come to motorists' rescue
To the editor:
We would like to share our recent experiences while traveling through your city of Blytheville as a way of sharing our gratitude and informing you of those who contributed to our journey.
On Tuesday, March 4, we found ourselves traveling north on I-55 from the Gulf Coast. Our trip was uneventful as far as Memphis, but from there north, I-55 was bumper-to-bumper on solid ice with no way out. We were stopped dead or barely inching forward for 8 hours.
When we realized there was no way we would make it to our hotel reservation in Sikeston, Mo., we called ahead to Blytheville to find another room for the night. I reserved a room at the only hotel that had a room available, America's Best, and secured it with a credit card. We finally arrived at 8:40 p.m. after 12 1/2 hours on the road only to find they had given our room away. Shame on you, America's Best. We were stranded with nowhere to go.
Thankfully, our story does not end there.
I called the local fire department to see if they had any ideas or could help us in any way. This is where a very bad situation took a turn for the good. The fireman, whose name I regretfully did not get, and the fire chief, worked for two hours trying to find us shelter for the night. Considerations included a Red Cross Emergency Shelter, but that was not available. Next, they offered us beds at the fire station. Before that could be arranged, the mayor stepped in and offered his help trying to find a room for us.
We were finally rescued by three more good Samaritans. Rick and Connie Ash met us in the parking lot where we were holding up, and drove lead to take us to the home of Robin Moore, where we arrived at 11 p.m. Rick and Connie headed out to the Red Cross supply trailer to retrieve cots and supplies. I believe they continued to work into the night to set up a shelter for other stranded travelers. Along with our dog, we spent the night in Robin's spare bedroom, safe and protected from the elements.
My husband and I are in our 60s, and have several health issues. I don't know what we would have done without everyone's assistance on this treacherous winter night. I do know we are eternally grateful for these angels who came to our rescue.