Late-Night Driver Becomes a Sudden Hero Right Place, Right Time
Nicholas Bostic had a heated argument with his girlfriend one night, so he went out driving around to clear his head and relax. Little did he know he would become a hero that same night. During his drive, he witnessed a raging fire that had engulfed a family’s home. Bostic stopped his car and ran inside despite the flames. He immediately began yelling for anyone since no one appeared to be inside the house — not even emergency personnel. His cries woke up 18-year-old Seionna Barrett, the oldest of five children, and she gathered her siblings together to exit the home. Bostic ran to Barrett and her young siblings, and he helped her take the children outside. But Barrett then told Bostic that her 6-year-old sister wasn’t with them. Without a second thought, Bostic again entered the home, hoping to rescue the little girl. The fire continued to spread quickly, and Bostic described it as a “black lagoon” of smoke on the ground floor. He checked all
of the bedrooms but couldn’t find the little girl. Then, as he approached a window to exit the home, he heard a child’s cry. Bostic then had an internal conversation with himself: He knew the child needed help, and although he was terrified to go back downstairs through the fire and smoke, he wouldn’t quit. After wrapping his shirt around his mouth, he ran through the home, following the girl’s cries for help. Once he found her, he picked her up, ran upstairs, and jumped out the window onto the lawn. All of the children were safe and suffered no injuries. Bostic received first-degree burns and severe cuts on his arm. He was airlifted to the nearest hospital once first responders arrived at the scene. Bostic’s cousin created a GoFundMe to pay for Bostic’s medical bills, and it collected $556,000. Today, Bostic is healthy and healing. He now has a new perspective on life and is looking forward to whatever his future might hold.
GOING FOR A BIKE RIDE? Make Sure You Wear a Helmet
Injuries resulting from bicyclist crashes are prevalent in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 130,000 bicyclists are injured in crashes, and nearly 1,000 cyclists die from crashes annually. Accidents involving cyclists can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age or riding experience. In order to stay safe while riding your bike, you need to wear a helmet. A recent meta-analysis published by Science Direct looked at 55 studies conducted between 1989 and 2017 to determine bike helmets’ effectiveness regarding serious head injuries and other injuries among crash-involved cyclists. The study found that wearing a bike helmet reduced head injuries by 48%, severe head injuries by 60%, traumatic brain injuries by 53%, face injuries by 23%, and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%. Another study published by the Injury Epidemiology Journal found that patients who wore helmets during bicycle-related accidents were 95% less likely to be diagnosed with a head injury. Failing to wear a helmet can lead to serious injuries and, in some cases, even death. If you get into an accident while riding your bike, you
may experience road rash, concussions, traumatic brain injury, dental damage,
broken bones, and more. You should see a doctor immediately if you’ve been in an accident and begin experiencing light and noise sensitivity, headaches, confusion, or mental fatigue. This may be a sign of a concussion or brain injury. While a bike helmet is a great way to stay safe, you should take other safety measures to ensure you’re protected while riding. Wear bright or reflective clothing while on your bike, especially if you ride in the evening or early morning. Also, ensure your bike is equipped with working lights on the front and back. Even wearing lights on your body will help cars spot you. Give manual signals when turning and utilize bike lanes whenever possible. It’s imperative that you take every possible precaution when riding your bike. Make sure you wear your helmet when you go for a ride, as it could keep you protected from injuries or worse.
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