To the Editor:

First, I would like to send my condolences to the family of Alyssa Gelfand and prayers for healing to Sophia Melfe and Sergio Medina.

I thank God I was not on Hurst Road at the exact moment of the accident Sunday as the scene was horrific. Arriving moments later, I walked to the scene to see if there was anything I could do, our town responders were just arriving in force.

I want our townspeople to know what an amazing group of people we have in the capacity of police, fire, paramedics, emergency medical services, and rescue squad personnel. Whether employees or volunteers, these men and women worked like a well-oiled machine to take care of the three children injured. I watched them in amazement as they worked with such precision to remove Alyssa from the wreckage.

To see so many around that car all doing their part in what could only be the worst of situations — knowing a young girl’s life was in the balance. Not one of these people on the scene made a wrong step.  These people from different departments worked together as if they all worked together every single day.

I know that Alyssa ultimately lost her life — it is heartbreaking — but in that moment on Hurst Road, our town’s first responders worked so fast and gave their all so that Alyssa had a chance. Their job was to get her to the hospital alive. They did just that and I will never forget being awestruck at how they did it.

From myself, and so many others — thank you.

Lyn Van Buren

Altamont