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Local News
Man honored for lifesaving efforts
May 22, 2009 at 8:09 pm
By RYAN HORNS
Thursday afternoon the Marysville Post of the Ohio State High Patrol recognized a citizen for his lifesaving actions during a one-car rollover crash that occurred on Jan. 24. Above, from left, award recipient John Baughman, 38, of East Liberty stands with Marilyn Gingerich, 17, of Unionville Center. Baughman helped lift a car off of Gingerich, who was trapped underneath. Safety officials said the action ultimately saved the girl’s life.
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On Jan. 24, 17-year-old Marilyn Gingerich of Unionville Center lay trapped underneath a car after a rollover crash.
Her mother said it was an act of God that saved her life.
Thursday afternoon, John M. Baughman, 38, of East Liberty, was presented the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s “Certificate of Recognition” for his quick actions that ultimately kept Gingerich safe until medics arrived.
Lt. Rick Zwayer, commander of the Marysville OSP Patrol Post who presented the award, said people often expect troopers or other safety service officials to act quick and help save lives — but when a normal citizen steps in to help it is something special.
“Another life has been saved because of your actions,” Zwayer said. “Today is a kind of reunion.”
The meeting between Baughman and Gingerich at the patrol station was joined by family and friends — all of which expressed their gratitude for Baughman’s unselfish act and quick thinking. Each one had a hug for the man.
“I just want to thank you,” Gingerich told Baughman, before starting to choke up.
At 1:35 p.m. the day of the crash, Gingerich was a passenger in a car driven by her friend. The two were trying to find their way while traveling on North Darby-Coe Road in Union County, when they hit a curve too fast and lost control. The car went off the roadway, struck a ditch and rolled over onto its top.
Baughman was driving the same way when he came upon the crash scene and discovered Gingerich was trapped beneath the wreckage.
Before Gingerich’s family and friends, Baughman explained that he initially tried to move the car with his bare hands, but soon realized it was impossible. He said he had to do something to make sure she could breath.
“He quickly recognized the severity and drove his flatbed truck into the field and used the hydraulics to lift the overturned vehicle off of Gingerich so that she could breath,” Zwayer said.
When medics arrived Gingerich was flown by helicopter to Grant Medical Center for care.
Allen Township Fire and EMS personnel have since indicated that Baughman’s selfless actions saved the girl’s life.
“After lifting the vehicle, Baughman had the forethought to not move the vehicle or Gingerich until medics could arrive. These wise actions likely prevented more serious injury or death,” Zwayer said.
As the family congratulated Baughman for his actions, Zwayer said troopers were busy dealing with a double fatal accident in Champaign County on U.S. 36.
He said the fatality highlights how quickly a normal drive can turn deadly and how drivers can take simple acts to prevent crashes.
Because of this, Zwayer said Baughman’s choice to help Gingerich during that moment of time shows that “the actions of the public are important in that effort.”
Zwayer said telling the public about crashes such as Gingerich’s can show people how fragile life is.
“It is important to get information out there like this,” he said.
“It shows how quickly life can be taken from you,” Gingerich’s grandmother Maggie Taylor said. “It is like a breath of air.”
Allen Township Fire Chief Rod Goddard said recognizing Baughman also will help put some good news out there, especially with all the bad news lately.
Baughman said he is just glad that he was in the right place at the right time.
“We are so thankful that you guys were there,” Taylor said. “It was like God sent two angels.”
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