Auto Accident Creates Odd Connection

When a vehicle driven by a 29 year-old woman hydroplaned into deep water on a highway outside West Frankfort (Ill.) during floods last week, a Good Samaritan stopped to help the woman. The driver, Tracy Barnes, immediately dialed 911 on her cellular phone, and reached Franklin County Central Dispatch dispatcher Ryan Buckingham, who talked to her as the vehicle began slipping deeper into the water. Emergency units were enroute immediately, but time was running short. Fortunately the passerby was able to reach Barnes and pull her to solid ground. At that point Barnes handed the cellular phone to her rescuer–Robin Buckingham, Ryan’s father. The woman was unhurt, and thanked the father-and-son team for their help.z