Hero Postal Worker Rescues Elderly Woman Trapped in Bathroom for 2 Days
A veteran U.S. letter carrier is being credited with
rescuing an elderly woman who was trapped in her Long Island home for two days.
The unidentified woman, 87, fell in her bathroom Saturday
and became wedged between her tub and toilet, unable to get up, according to
Garden City police. She remained there until Monday, when the postman who had
been delivering her mail for decades discovered something was amiss.
"There was mail in the mailbox from Saturday, and
that's a red flag," said Mario Serrano.
The sound of running water led the mail carrier to the
woman's front door. He rang the bell and heard her screaming for help. That's
when the postman turned into first responder.
He pried open a window, found the woman and called
police. He stayed with her until help arrived.
"She's the one who had the will to live," said
Serrano, 53. "She's the hero."
The woman was taken to a Mineola hospital with hip
injuries, said a police spokesman. According to an official at Winthrop
University medical center, the woman has been treated and released.
Serrano's quick action has earned him a nomination for
the Postmaster General's Hero Recognition award, the highest honor the Postal
Service bestows on employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Neighbors along the Garden City street where the woman
lives were not surprised to hear of Serrano's concern and speedy response.
"I call him the neighborhood watchdog," said
Laura Tarr, who lives next door to the victim. "Everybody knows
Mario. He's a great guy."
"He's a prince of a man," added George Salem.
"He's very concerned about everyone."
Serrano has been working the same Garden City route for
26 years and said he had been checking in on the elderly woman for some time,
even bringing stamps to her when she needed them.
"We check up on customers, especially when they are
elderly," Serrano said. "That's the kind of customer service we do
for everybody."
Neighbors describe the elderly woman as an
"independent lady" who often keeps to herself. She could not be
reached for comment.
"It's a miracle she survived," said George
Salem.
Serrano has yet to see the woman since her rescue, but he
wished her well.
"I have a mom the same age as this lady,"
Serrano explained. "I would hope
someone would do the same for her if she needed help."
The recognition didn't seem to have much effect on the
grandfather of two as he made his rounds Tuesday.
"I've got a job to do and I'm late," Serrano
said as he drove away from a mob of reporters.
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