A Goodridge couple says their guardian angels were with them

For George and Carolyn Pittman, they remember the date and the weather conditions vividly as the Goodridge couple ended up submerged in a ditch full of water. 

The Pittmans were driving home from their great-granddaughter’s birthday party in the late afternoon hours and were near the Steve and Shirley Holte residence, along Highway 219. Carolyn shares the moment things went bad, “It was like someone picked us up and ever-so-gently set us in the ditch. I must have fallen asleep and slowly driven off the road; the airbags never even went off,” she added. The Ford Explorer landed in the ditch full of water right between the culvert of Holte’s approach and the guy-wires for the light pole, which was the best spot to go in, given the bad situation. However, Carolyn awoke with a startle because their vehicle was already filling up with cold water, leaving the couple sitting in their car seats waist-deep.

To their advantage, a few people happened to be driving by at the same time, including Merlin and Carol Klamar, and three young men from Grygla – Lucian Tinnes, Hudson McMillin and Nolan Anderson. A man from Roseau was also driving by and stopped to lend a helping hand. That man, along with the young men, got right into the ditch without hesitation, where the water was chest-high. Merlin and Nolan stood along the steep bank to help the elderly couple up to the road. Carolyn and George were able to open the doors of their vehicle, and with everyone’s help, they were assisted out safely. Carolyn teared up and said that without the help of these men, she fears they wouldn’t have been able to make it out of that ditch on their own. 

When reflecting back on that moment, everyone was in agreement with how everything fell into place that day; the Pittman’s guardian angels were indeed on the scene. Prior to the accident, Carolyn said her daughter Amy had disabled the automatic locks in the vehicle, which was also a blessing as the water caused electrical failure in the vehicle and they probably would’ve had to break a window to escape. Also, the man from Roseau had a winch with that allowed them to pull the vehicle out of the ditch. Not to mention, the physical help from everyone that day.

“This was God and his guardian angels,” Carolyn said emotionally, as she recalled the scary events that unfolded.

The Pittmans met with the Klamars last Sunday afternoon, along with Lucian and Hudson, where gratitude was expressed and hugs were exchanged.

Carolyn said it was such a kind effort by so many community members and they deserve recognition and thanks. Between the Klamars waiting with them until the Highway Patrol came that day, to driving them back to their home, along with the Holte’s offering towels and a place to keep their vehicle until it could be towed away – every effort was noticed and appreciated by the Pittmans, who feel so thankful for each and every person who helped them that afternoon. 

The Ford Explorer was totaled due to the water damage. The couple has gotten a new vehicle since, and, yes, the automatic locks have already been disabled in this one, too. 

“I have flashbacks about the water hitting the windshield and nightmares about what could have happened if it weren’t for their help. God works in many ways and this was one of them,” she thankfully expressed.