ONSLOW COUNTY, NC— Two victims of a 2016 traffic accident reunited today with some of the paramedics who they credit with saving their lives. Last September, Andrea Boyden and Donna Bachand, both of Annapolis, Maryland, were visiting family in Onslow County when they were involved in a crash at North Topsail Beach. The women suffered multiple traumatic injuries, according to Onslow County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Within just minutes, Onslow County and Pender County paramedics were on the scene and able to administer life-saving care to the victims. The women were transported to the trauma center at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Following months of recovery, Boyden and Bachand reached out to officials to arrange a meeting with the paramedics who “saved our lives.” Earlier today at North Topsail Beach Town Hall, Onslow County Paramedics Chris Dudley and Jason Alberti arrived with yellow daisies and exchanged hugs with Boyden and Bachand. Andrea Boyden said while she doesn’t remember much in the immediate moments following the crash, she said both she and Bachard had “been waiting a long time to talk with you [paramedics]. It was very important to both of us to personally thank you.” Donna Bachand, who underwent months of therapy after suffering a broken pelvis, echoed Boyden’s sentiments adding that she “felt safe” with Dudley and Alberti taking care of them.
Dudley and Alberti discussed the events of that night with the women, and recounted the life-saving measures taken to get the victims to a trauma center as soon as possible. “Half the battle is getting them through one of the scariest moments of their lives,” said Alberti. “We take comfort in knowing they are okay. Seeing them back here and able to enjoy their vacation this time, it’s really quite wonderful.” Dudley commented on the women’s swift recovery and that there were no lasting disabilities from their extensive injuries. “You definitely had a guardian angel with you that day,” he said to Boyden and Bachand.
Following today’s reunion, Boyden and Bachand said they would be reaching out to Pender County EMS to reunite with the rest of the paramedics who tended to them.
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Picture Left to Right: Paramedic Chris Dudley, Paramedic Jason Albert, Donna Bachand and Andrea Boyden
