Neil, Pia and friends - You're Alycia's heroes and angels

SooToday.com received the following letter from Alycia Loan who, if not for the kindness of four strangers, might not be alive today to write to us.

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Dear Sootoday,

I would like to send my gratitude and thanks to the four people who saved my life last night.

I don't know who they are, but I'm hoping if you post this letter, they will read it and see how grateful I am for their help.

I was driving home last night to Nokomis Beach Road, where I live with my husband, three children and mother.

Unfortunately the roads out towards my house were icy and I didn't realize this.

I started to fish tail around a bend, tried to gain control and straighten out my vehicle again, but it was no use.

I flipped my van sideways and rolled it a few times until I crashed into the ditch.

This was approximately 10:30 p.m.

No cars or people in sight.

It was where airport road turns into Pointe des Chenes Drive.

All I could think of as it was happening was: "This is how I'm going to die."

I went into shock.

I remember thinking how upset my children were going to be when they learned of my death.

I couldn't handle the thought.

And as I was rolling, it was like a dream.

I felt like I was in some crazy action movie.

Once I came to a stop, I started to panic.

I was locked in my seatbelt, hanging there almost upside down in my van in a ditch.

I realized at least I was alive, but I was stuck.

I didn't know how bad any injuries to myself were or how severely damaged my van was, I just needed to get out.

I finally calmed myself down after a bit and figured out a way to wiggle out of my belt.

I took the shoulder strap off, braced myself and pushed my body up with one leg.

I got the window above me open so I had room to extend and wiggled right out.

At that time I needed to call for help.

I knew my phone was in my purse and had to jump down to find it.

I was throwing things left and right in a panic, but I found it.

So I climbed back up to the window and stuck my head and upper part of my body out.

I didn't have cell service.

I started to panic again.

So I started screaming for help.

Over and over.

But nobody heard me.

A few minutes later, a car drove by and turned around.

These people's names were Neil and Pia.

Neil is a nurse at the hospital.

He called 911 for me and they did such a wonderful job of climbing down into the ditch to rescue me out of the most traumatic experience of my life.

Just a few moments later, another couple pulled up and stopped to help.

The four of them got me out of the van and helped me up the bank and onto the shoulder of the road to safety.

I didn't catch the names of the other couple, but the lady was also a nurse and she was very, very supportive and helpful as I was going into shock and having a panic attack.

I was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

The paramedics were terrific and did their job perfectly.

Had I not been wearing a belt, I'd probably be dead.

Had I been sitting in the passenger side of the van, I'd probably be either severely hurt or dead.

Someone or something was looking out for me last night.

I would also like to thank Michael, my nurse in Emerg.

Even in my traumatic state, he was able to make me feel very safe and very reassured.

And we even laughed a little.

Thank you Michael.

Your genuine concern for other human beings is very admirable.

You made my visit a tolerable one :)

I'm pretty banged up today, in a lot of pain, but I am alive.

My biggest and greatest thanks and gratitude to Neil, Pia, and the other lady and gentleman who also stopped to go out of your way to help out a complete stranger.

You are all heroes and angels in my book and forever in my heart.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support.

The world needs more heroes like you.

If possible, I would like these special people to please contact me so I can personally thank them all.

Hopefully they see this.

You have no idea how grateful I am.

Thank you.

Alycia Loan
Nokomis Beach Road
[email protected]

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