Retired paramedic called ‘guardian angel’ for helping man in Sandy 9-car pile up
May 31, 2022, 10:03 PM | Updated: Jun 1, 2022, 10:23 am
SANDY, Utah — The family of a man hospitalized after a nine-car crash in Sandy last week said another victim in that crash helped save his life.
Steve Miner’s son, 25-year-old Sam Beck took the brunt of the collision when a driver going over twice the speed limit t-boned Beck’s truck.
The impact sent his truck 35-yards and ultimately eight other cars were involved. In one of those cars was Danon Gibson, a former paramedic, a man Miner called a gift from God.
“Guardian angel,” said Steve Miner. “EMT with five years of experience. Very calm, very collected.”
Gibson was a paramedic for five years and responded to hundreds of emergency scenes. This was much different.
Sam Beck (Steve Miner family)
“When you’re coming into a scene on a rig or in an ambulance, you kind of know what to expect,” Gibson said.
His car was hit and his first obstacle was getting out. The doors were too damaged to open.
“A gentleman helped me get my passenger door open, I got out, checked my pulse first then looked around to see what was going on,” Gibson said.
He said there were people everywhere “milling around,” wanting to help but not knowing how. This is where his skills and training in emergency management kicked in. He gave directions and people followed. As for him, he went directly to Sam Beck’s truck. He knew that driver would be in the worst condition.
“He’s leaning down, he’s unconscious and he’s having trouble breathing,” described Gibson. “So, I pushed his head back, checked his pupils to see if they (were) reacting at all and they did.”
Beck’s father believes Gibson’s actions helped save his son. Minutes later emergency crews arrived and took the normally healthy 25-year-old to the hospital where he had his third, and most serious surgery on Tuesday.
Beck had multiple broken bones, including nine ribs, and his neck. He also had swelling in his brain. The family said doctors were optimistic there is no permanent brain damage or paralysis.
“He’s gonna make it,” Miner said. “He’s a strong young man, he’s a fighter, I think we’ve been blessed with a lot of prayers.”
The family has also set up a GoFundMe* page.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
