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Good Samaritan rescues Boardman couple

BOARDMAN — The appearance of a good Samaritan and his plow seemed like divine intervention after a Boardman couple’s car became stuck as they braved the aftermath of Monday’s snowstorm to tend to the wife’s sick and elderly mother.

Joe and Gail Bartholomew of Boardman, attempted to leave their home on Crestview Drive early Monday to relieve the caretaker for Gail’s 101-year-old mother after her shift. Joe Bartholomew said his car got stuck not even 20 feet into the mile-long journey to U.S. Route 224.

“There was no one out, not a soul. Then out of the blue comes a Boardman Township Road Department pickup truck,” Bartholomew said. “It felt like divine intervention.”

The road department employee was plowing the intersection of Mill Creek Boulevard when he noticed the stranded couple. He drove up to their vehicle and used his plow to remove the snow around their bumper to free the vehicle.

“When I thanked him, the first thing he said to me was, ‘What the heck are you guys doing out?'” Bartholomew said. “I explained the situation to him and he understood. He asked where her mother lived, and told us to get back in the car and follow him.”

The employee led the way and cleared a lane, escorting the couple all the way to Route 224, which was in the process of being plowed. Bartholomew attempted to tip the employee as a thank you, but he declined any payment.

“I just could not believe it. People always say there’s so much bad in this world, but here comes this man out of nowhere,” Bartholomew said.

Bartholomew was able to drop off his wife at her mother’s Locust Street apartment. He drove back and returned to a plowed street, thanks to the work of the same road department employee. While Bartholomew was not able to get the name of the employee, he’s grateful for the kindness he showed by going out of his way to help out a couple of strangers.

“No matter how bad you think the world is, or our country is, there are still a lot of good people out there,” Bartholomew said. “It’s just people helping people.”

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