Angela Shymanski and her two young children were driving back from vacation through the Canadian Rockies when a fateful event occurred. Angela had put on some soothing music to lull her 10-week-old son, Peter, and her 5-year-old daughter, Lexi, to sleep.
Unfortunately, Angela herself fell asleep behind the wheel, causing the car to veer off the road at high speed and tumble down a 40-foot embankment near Jasper, Alberta. Lexi was knocked unconscious in the accident, but when she came to, she found her mother hunched over the steering wheel and her baby brother crying.
Incredibly, it was the brave actions of the 5-year-old girl that ended up saving both her mother and brother’s lives.
Despite being in a five-point harnessed car seat, young Lexi Shymanski realized that their car, hidden down a steep slope, wouldn’t be visible to passing vehicles. Displaying incredible bravery beyond her years, she managed to free herself from the harness and make her way out of the vehicle. Lexi vividly remembers having to kick open her door to escape.
Angela Shymanski, Lexi’s mother, described the situation as unbelievable. She could recall only one or two previous instances when Lexi had slipped out of her five-point harness. Despite the adrenaline-fueled circumstances, Lexi successfully climbed up the slope barefoot to seek help.
Navigating the rugged terrain barefoot, the determined child made her way to the road above and successfully flagged down a passing truck for help. Remarkably, among the vehicles that stopped was one driven by a paramedic, whose presence became crucial in potentially saving Angela’s life and preventing permanent paralysis.
The compassionate paramedic stayed by Angela’s side until she regained consciousness. Angela recalled that when she woke up, she saw Lexi lying beside the highway and noticed that someone else was holding the baby. It took the paramedic several attempts, due to limited cell service, before he could successfully call 911 for assistance.
The family was promptly transported to Seton-Jasper Healthcare Center via ambulance, and later Angela and Lexi were transferred to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. Peter, on the other hand, was transported separately by land ambulance and arrived at the hospital later that night.
Angela suffered from at least two broken ribs and extensive internal bleeding, resulting in the removal of her spleen and repairs to other organs. Peter underwent neurosurgery to alleviate brain swelling. Remarkably, Lexi emerged from the accident with only a minor scrape on her chin, defying the odds against such a harrowing incident.
The remarkable actions of 5-year-old Lexi, who sought help for her injured family, may have saved them from grave danger. Angela described the incident as a day she would never forget, and Lexi’s bravery left everyone astounded.
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