Good Samaritans respond to vehicle accident Published Feb. 4, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor 31st Fighter Wing public affairs office AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Five Americans from Aviano Air Base sprung into action at approximately 2 p.m. Jan. 26 following a two-car vehicle accident near the traffic light intersection outside Gate 10 of the base rendering aid to two drivers and directing traffic until emergency personnel arrived on scene. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Polizia stradale di Pordenone; however, witnesses at the scene stated a small red van ran the red light and collided with another van exiting the base turning left through the intersection. Witnesses said the driver of the red van didn't appear to recognize the light had turned red as they didn't see the break lights turn on. Narrowly missing the first vehicle which had already turned left, the driver of the red van collided with the second vehicle as it entered the intersection. The result of the collision sent the red van and its driver sliding across the roadway before it rolled and came to rest in a field near the intersection, pinning the driver under the vehicle after being partially ejected through the driver-side door window. "I was immediately behind the red van as we approached the intersection said," John Shirley, husband of Air Force Maj. Kelly Gambino-Shirley. "I could see the accident about to happen as if it were in super slow motion and all I could do is anticipate what was about to happen." He said Chris Pietszak, who was following in the car behind him, pulled over behind him on the side of the road and both of them headed toward the scene. Sitting in the vehicle behind the driver of the second van involved in the accident were Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacqueline Tavenner, Senior Airman Justin Lee, and Airman 1st Class Nathan Galati from the 31st Medical Group who had just finished a part of their base beautification detail on the flightline area of the base and were headed back toward Area 1. The detail is a program designed to keep Aviano Air Base clean of debris and litter. "We were two vehicles behind the van exiting the base," said Airman Galati, a dental technician assigned to the 31st Dental Squadron. "I didn't actually hear the accident as the radio was on, but I happened to look out the passenger window and saw the red van sliding sideways and then it began to roll. We immediately pulled off to the side, jumped out, and ran over to the vehicle closest to us." Airman Galati said the woman driving the second van was closest to them and when they reached her, she was responsive and said her arm was hurting, and immediately preceded to the red van. He said upon reaching the red van, the male driver was pinned under the vehicle and unresponsive. "I thought he was dead," said Airman Galati as he and his fellow Airmen arrived to the red van. "We quickly [teamed up] to turn the van back [upright] and began checking his vitals, for injuries, and called for emergency services as well." Despite the red van rolling and spinning several times before it came to rest in a field across from the Gate 10 entrance, several of those who responded said it was pretty shocking and surreal to see the accident happen. "I was a couple vehicles behind the red van," said Pietszak, husband of Air Force Maj. Lora Pietszak. "So many wonderful things happened with the accident, from where the van landed in the field to those of us who happened to be there at the right time to help out." "I kind of feel like we were his guardian angels," said Airman Galati. He said it was kind of like divine intervention that so many medical personnel happened to be at the intersection when the accident occurred. "I believe the man would've died if we had not been there to help out." In Italy, the law states motorists are required to stop and render aid to accident victims within their level of capabilities. "The actions of those who responded are a classic example of what you should do in a situation like this," said Master Sgt. Dexter Thomas, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief of operations who responded to the scene when the emergency call came in. Sergeant Thomas said if anyone is in a situation where they are one of the first to arrive at the scene of an accident; they should call it in and render aid within their scope of what they've been trained to do and to use extreme caution if it becomes necessary to move an injured person. When calling in an emergency off-base, Americans should call 118, which is the Italian version of the U.S. 9-1-1 system, or they can call it in to Aviano Air Base by calling 0434-30-8911. Important information to know is the name of the road or street you are on, the name of the city, your approximate location, nearby landmarks, and any additional information that will aid emergency responders to get to the scene. The male driver was transported to the Pordenone Hospital and his condition is not known at this time; however, the female driver has been since treated and released.