OKLAHOMA CITY, June 12, 2007 -- Nine Cellular One wireless users from across the country have been recognized as 2007 VITA Wireless Samaritans, the company today announced.
All honorees are being lauded by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) during National Wireless Safety Week that runs through Friday.
"Every day millions of emergency calls are placed on wireless telephones around the country," said Cellular One spokesman Craig Davis. "These honorees are great examples of how important wireless products and services have become in American life."
CTIA honors Wireless Samaritans annually and highlights their stories to members of Congress and the press to bring awareness to the important role wireless telephones play in emergency situations.
Cellular One (NASDAQ:DCEL - News), which operates markets in 17-states and is a leading wireless telecommunications provider in rural America, has been a key partner with CTIA's Wireless Foundation in the VITA Wireless Samaritan Awards for the last seven years.
2007 Cellular One Wireless Samaritans are:
Marti Mason
Gaylord, Michigan
One winter afternoon, Marti Mason, her friend and their daughters were sledding when they went over a 3-foot jump and crashed to the ground. Marti shattered her pelvis and sacrum, while her friend broke his back. The children were uninjured, and ran to the car to use their cell phone to dial 9-1-1 for help. Although Ms. Mason's friend was injured, he remained in stable condition. Ms. Mason's condition was critical and emergency workers felt she needed to be life-flighted to a hospital. She underwent three intense surgeries and was in the hospital for three weeks. Doctors reported she was lucky to be alive.
Dennis Waldron
Sitka, Alaska
Dennis Waldron was out riding his All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in the snow when he went over the edge of a steep slope and slid down into a ravine. His ATV was stuck down in the ravine, so Mr. Waldron tried to hike out and find a road. However, his flashlight's battery ran out and Mr. Waldron could not make his way out of the steep, slick terrain in the dark. Mr. Waldron then used his cell phone to call 9-1-1, but he was unable to describe his location. Rescuers found Mr. Waldron's ATV tracks going over the edge of a steep slope. The rescue team continued down the slope and spotted the light from Mr. Waldron's snowmobile. They cut steps for him, placed a rope as a hand line, and helped Mr. Waldron walk to the top of the mountain, to safety.
Sue Porath
Central Bridge, New York
Sue Porath's life was saved when her 12-year-old son, Sean, and 21-year-old nephew, David, called 9-1-1 on her cellular phone when she suffered a massive heart attack. Ambulance workers administered electrical defibrillation en route to the hospital to save Ms. Porath. She is currently recovering from her heart attack. Now Ms. Porath is even more aware of the importance of always carrying her cellular phone, even when she is at home. Ms. Porath believes that the 9-1-1 call saved her life and feels secure having her cell phone with her, in case of another emergency.
Susan Moss
Bennett, Wisconsin
One February day, Susan Moss and her friend Irene took a woodland hike. The pleasant outing quickly deteriorated when Irene fell over a fallen tree. Ms. Moss immediately dialed 9-1-1 on her cell phone and directed emergency workers to their location. During the 20 minute wait for paramedics to arrive, Ms. Moss maintained contact with the 9-1-1 dispatcher to report the status of Irene's injuries. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they found that Irene had suffered a lacerated liver and transported her to the hospital. After receiving proper critical care and several days in intensive care, Irene made a full recovery.
Terry Moon
Central Lake, Michigan
While working construction at Boyne Mountain Park near Boyne City, Terry Moon's supervisor fell fifteen feet off of a structure onto concrete. Mr. Moon immediately called 9-1-1 from his cell phone. Mr. Moon directed paramedics to the site and informed them of the fallen man's condition until they arrived to administer medical assistance. His supervisor was fortunate to receive immediate attention and was transported to a medical facility. The victim suffered scrapes, bruises and 7 broken ribs, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Bob McDonald
Duluth, Minnesota
While on patrol as part of his neighborhood watch program, Bob McDonald spotted a suspicious car without a community permit ticket. Following proper security measures of the program, Mr. McDonald called 9-1-1 on his cellular phone. Police responded and, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the car was related to a break-in at a neighbor's house. Mr. McDonald helped find the stolen car and deter further illegal activity. Mr. McDonald's immediate phone call to the authorities helped to catch the burglary suspect in his neighborhood.
Christy Holmes
Shiner, Texas
Jason Mewbourn and his wife Christy Holmes called 9-1-1 on their cellular phone after witnessing a car accident. A man, whom the couple knew personally, was driving a pick-up truck and hit a median, nose-dived and flipped over. After calling 9-1-1, Mr. Mewbourn ran to the truck and broke out the windshield in an attempt remove the victim from the car, but the vehicle was too mangled. When rescuers arrived on the scene, the jaws of life were needed to remove the man from his vehicle. The injured man was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Kim Pollard
Hagerstown, Maryland
Kim Pollard, who suffers from a disability as the result of a brain injury, fell down a set of stairs in her apartment building. Since no one was around to help her, Ms. Pollard dialed 9-1-1 from her cell phone. No neighbors were in the apartment building at the time, so it is likely that she would not have been found for hours. Ms. Pollard expressed how lucky she felt even though she suffered a sprained neck, bruises and lots of aches and pains. Since Ms. Pollard has a brain injury she stays close to home and always clips her cell phone to her belt to be sure she has help in case of an emergency.
Ben Harstad
Duluth, Minnesota
Ben Harstad dialed 9-1-1 on his wireless phone when he encountered teenagers vandalizing a roadway and creating traffic safety hazards. Mr. Harstad witnessed the group of vandals picking up orange road cones and throwing them in the middle of the road. This hazard caused an accident in which the windshield of a passing car was shattered. Fortunately, this was the only accident, and no injuries occurred to the drivers, passengers or passersby. Police responded immediately to investigate the situation.
Cellular One will award each of its 2007 Wireless Samaritans with a new wireless telephone and a citation of congratulations. For more information on the products and services of Cellular One, visit: www.celloneusa.com.