Lifesavers honored for bravery in fiery crash
Dec 16, 2024
ROCK RAPIDS, IA (KELO) -- Three good Samaritans who helped save several people involved in a car crash in northwestern Iowa are receiving the recognition they deserve.
Emotions were high inside the Lyon County Sheriff's Office Monday as Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep honored Brian Harms, Ismael Small and Joyce Sipma for the parts they played in saving multiple lives after a fiery car crash just outside of Larchwood, Iowa, in late September. Four of the people they saved, along with their families, were in attendance.
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"It's nice that we were able to get together, and there was all survivors in there. You know, some have been hurt a little bit, but they were all able to get here," Harms said.
"It was emotional, just shaking everybody's hand, making sure, looking at everybody and putting a face to the name," Small said.
"I'm just so grateful that everybody is going to be okay, and that was my prayer. We have answered prayers for sure," Sipma said
Jodi Daniels was sitting in the front passenger side of the car that was hit and suffered a spinal injury. Her father, mother and nephew were also in the vehicle. Today was the first time they saw the three good Samaritans since the crash.
"It was tearful because I was very grateful that they were there, but it made it all real all of a sudden," Daniels said.
Daniels also says that she is beyond thankful.
"I am very grateful for these three people. No amount of words can thank them for how grateful we are," Daniels said.
"You wish the accident would never happen, but once it did happen, the right parts were in place, and everybody was able to survive and and get through their injuries," Harms said.
Daniels will get out of her neck brace in about a week and hopes to regain full movement in her neck.