A Kansas City, Kansas, family is thankful to be alive following a serious car accident. They’re even more thankful for the ‘Angell’ who helped them.
Heather and David Neal were driving eastbound on I-70 near Bonner Springs on Tuesday afternoon when they hydroplaned off the wet road and into a nearby dump truck. The crash completely flattened the front end of the cab, pinning David Neal behind the steering wheel.
"I looked up and saw that piece of equipment out there, I thought, we're gonna hit it. And that's the last thing I remember until they pulled me out of the truck,” said David Neal.
Heather Neal, also injured, was in a state of panic, with great concern over her daughter and two nieces in the back seat.
"He was pinned in. I was frantic on the phone with 911. Kids were screaming,” she said.
But what happened just seconds later still has the Neals astonished.
"This guy comes running up and he ... he tried breaking the windows to help me get the kids out,” said Heather Neal.
That guy was Joe Angell - as if there could ever be a more fitting metaphor.
"He told me his name was Joe Angell and I was just like, 'I knew it God, thank you, you know,” said Heather Neal.
"We ended up getting the door open and he just started pulling all the girls out for me and setting them down,” she said.
Angell, an older gentleman who carries a cane, was also able to position David Neal in a way that took pressure off his chest. He was also the only person to pull over and help until paramedics and firefighters arrived.
"Him to stop at the right time, was, was a work of God and a miracle,” said David Neal.
Everyone has cuts and bruises. Heather Neal has an injured left leg and one of her nieces has a broken arm. However, everyone will be OK. In fact, Angell followed the ambulance to the hospital and even stayed in the emergency room until he knew everyone would be alright.
"Thank you. Thank you so very much for all your help. You've been wonderful and I appreciate him being there … He's a miracle to me. Saved our lives,” said Heather Neal.
Heather Neal also says she plans to pay it forward.
"He told me to return the favor, so I'm going to do that just for him,” she said.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com.
