Posted on 11/27/2004 5:38:23 PM PST by The_Media_never_lie
Greenville) Nov. 25, 2004 - A man's pickup truck crashed into the Saluda River, and a woman jumped into the cold water, below which the vehicle was barely visible, to pull him to safety, "It was cold. I didn't think it was gonna be that cold, but it was cold.".
Donnitta Burns shrugs off her life-saving exploits, "I just jumped in the river, pulled the man out of the truck, did CPR, and they pulled us out. Yeah, that was it."
"He came right down through here and right straight down into the river." Joan Chastain, who witnessed the rescue, says, "Everybody was standing around, kind of looking, and she didn't hesitate. She went down that hill. She threw those shoes off, and she was in that water."
"I'd want somebody to do it for me, and somebody has, so I did it for somebody else."In a twist some say is more than coincidence, Donnitta pulled the man to safety from the same river in which she tried to end her life less than three months ago.
A game warden pulled her to safety from the Saluda River on September 11th, "That's what I thought right before I jumped in, you know, 'Somebody did it for me, so let's do it for somebody else.' ... Somebody put me there at that time for a reason. I can't say it's God or anything like that, but I believe it was a spiritual being."
Chastain agrees, "She was very much an angel of mercy today. Nobody could ask for a better Thanksgiving miracle than that gentleman did."
Donnitta says her only wish is that he shares a happy Thanksgiving with his family. Because of her, the driver had that opportunity. He was listed in stable condition after being flown to a local hospital.
Posted 8:00pm by Chantelle Janelle
But what I want to know is Ray Lever's BBQ hut still in business? I miss his BBQ.
God preforming miracles again.
“Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen”
Ray's was a favorite of my dear Grandma and she had it every Thanksgiving.
Ray's gone but his BBQ lives on in his kids and grands in a new building near the old site.
I am a professional BBQ taster here in SC. I had Maurice's this evening while visiting friends in West Columbia, but I get to Cedar Creek once a week.
BTW: There's a new pig eatery in Blythewood to check out.
Y'all come.
Amazing story.
Well, yeah. You figure if someone was going to do it, she had some experience. These onlookers should have jumped in for her. As it goes, all's well that ends well.
I am a mustard base man, do you have any recommendations? Ever been to Wise's near Newberry (Kinards)?
"I am a professional BBQ taster here in SC."
Filing that under: nice work if you can get it!
Ping.
This one answered. Blessings on her!
That water in the Saluda is cold even in July.
I fished near that bridge for years.
Bet it was chilly this week.
Thanks jocon, but add to that file -- hard work is hard work.
I take my work very seriously.
The_Media_never_lie, Yes, Off Hwy. 321 between Columbia
and Winnsboro. The new place is just off 321 on Lever Rd.
I have to be in Crossville, near Newberry this week,
I'll check out Wise's then, thanks!
Wonderful story...wonderful bravery on this lady's part.
WHY don't we hear more of these acts in the news? Never mind.....
bd..thanks for the ping!!!
I dunno -- you gotta taste the bad along with the good....
If that isn't a miracle - I don't know what is. She is a pretty amazing woman too.
Glad you liked it as much as me, BG. It is heartwarming and an inspirational story. She recognized that she was put in a position to help someone as she had been helped. This is a real life story which reminds me so much of "It's A Wonderful Life." :D
IMHO:
There is no bad BBQ. Untalented cooks? A plenty.
The test of a true hero, IMO...she didn't stop to think. She just reacted.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.