Helpful neighbors ‘renewed our faith in humanity’

On Nov. 15, my wife and I, who live in Otis, MA, were heading south on Route 8, following directions to Rhode Island from our GPS. I turned left onto Route 20 and then right for Huntington Road, but mistakenly turned onto Wallens Road. Immediately the GPS shouted “recalculating,” so I backed up and, unfortunately, ended up in a ditch with my back wheels in the air. I exited my vehicle and saw I couldn’t drive out of the ditch. Fortunately, neither of us was hurt.

The gentleman who owns the house right up the road saw what happened and came down immediately. He offered his house for us to wait in until a tow truck came, and when we said that wasn’t necessary, he insisted that we accept a cup of coffee, which my wife did — she told me it was excellent.

I was on my cell calling AAA when a truck pulled up. The driver got out and offered to call a tow truck for me, but I told him I was on the phone with AAA.

In the time that we were waiting for AAA to arrive, no less than 15 drivers, both male and female, in various cars, trucks, FedEx vehicles, etc., stopped to inquire if we were okay and if we needed help. One or two vehicles even made uturns off Route 20 to ask if we needed help.

After AAA arrived, we were pulled out and on our way in less than a minute. We were overwhelmed by the kindness and concern that we received from the homeowner and the drivers who were passing by and have sent this letter to thank the community. It has given us both a great boost and renewed our faith in humanity.

Bob Rosen and Diane Saunders, Otis, Mass.