Wanda English Burnett, Editor

A good Samaritan was injured Saturday morning as she tried to help another motorist on the slick roads.

When Cherry Cole of Madison, slid off the roadway on Cave Hill Road before 10 a.m. Saturday, December 6, she wasn’t injured. Dawn Heffelmire of Versailles, came along and as she’d done many times before, stopped to see if she could help.

Living in the vicinity of Cave Hill Road for many years, it wasn’t uncommon for Heffelmire to help people who would try to make the hill and couldn’t because of snowy or icy weather.

What happened next was harrowing for the 30-year-old Versailles woman, but more so for those watching. She got in the vehicle to steer it, but had stepped outside when the car suddenly began to slide. It pinned her between the car and a tree, keeping the vehicle from rolling over a steep embankment, according to Chuck Gunter, who responded to the scene.

Gunter and Matt Wright repelled down the steep hillside to her rescue. Heffelmire was tethered to Wright, who then secured her in a basket, bringing her to safety. She was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to family members.

The area was so icy the rescue unit had to have assistance from McBrand Wrecker Service to become mobilized to get the patient to the hospital.

Editor’s note: Read a personal account about the incident from Heffelmire’s father inside today’s paper on page four.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Although the driver of this car wasn't injured in this slide-off, a passer-by was as she tried to assist. Dawn Heffelmire was pinned between the car and the tree, and had to be rescued. The car was just inches from tumbling down a steep ravine on Cave Hill Road near Versailles last Saturday, December 6. The car is perched precariously on a hill that has a steep drop off below. Thankfully, Heffelmire wasn't seriously injured in the mishap that left her trapped for quite some time in the cold temperatures.