Community reaches out to jogger hurt in accident
UPPER DARBY >> A Drexel Hill woman known for helping others now is seeing the community rally around her after she was critically injured when she was struck by a car while jogging last weekend. In particular the women’s jogging community in the area is rallying around Beth Kirsch, planning a fundraiser to offset medical expenses and incidental expenses while she remains hospitalized.
Several women’s running groups have joined forces to establish the social media fundraising drive on FreeFunder for Kirsch.
Kirsch, 38, of the 600 block of Eaton Road, was jogging early Saturday morning in her neighborhood and when was struck by a car at State Road and Harper Avenue, about a half mile from her house.
She was trapped underneath the vehicle until police and firefighters who responded to the scene lifted the car and saved her life.
The woman was transported to Lankenau Hospital where she was admitted in critical condition.
The 86-year-old Drexel Hill man, the driver of the vehicle involved, was on his way to church when he felt a thud and immediately stopped. He lives on Shadeland Avenue, a block away from the site of the accident.
Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood called it a freak traffic accident with hopes of the woman having a successful recovery.
Chitwood declared the officers actions “heroic” for making an immediate decision to lift the car, a 2001 Toyota Camry, and saving her life.
“If they didn’t lift the vehicle off her chest she would have been dead,” Chitwood said.
Kirsch, who planned to run in a half-marathon this Sunday in Tennessee, will be the recipient of the funds collected from the running community on FreeFunder web site.
According to the Facebook page soliciting donations, Kirsch is also in need of prayers and positive thoughts.
“Her running community has started a fundraising page to keep her family, friends and SparkleSisterhood (running group) updated,” the post stated Wednesday seeking donations on the FreeFunder web page.
Three women, Kim Rendon, 50, of Springfield, Linda Pang, 32, of Media, and Kathy Pavlovitch, 48, started the fundraiser.
“The three of us figured out it was Beth (the day of the accident) and ran to the hospital with no plan other than to ‘take action, talk to the family and assess any support needs,’” Rendon said.
“Beth joined our female running group, the Sole Sisters, a year ago. She was training for a halfmarathon. Runners do help people in need. We’re a close group and now one of our Sole Sisters needs support. Other runners are going to want to help and she’s our personal friend. Runners and walkers are banding together this weekend to show support from the running community for Beth and her loved ones as well as a thank you for the quick thinking of neighbors, officers and off-duty firefighters that jumped in to lift the car and rescue her.”
Rendon has a message for all runners and walkers in the area.
“#WearBlue during your races, runs and walks this weekend and dedicate your #MilesforBeth on social media,” Rendon said. “We hope to share all these beautiful and loving stories when she is ready to see her running sisters.”
Kirsch, originally from Virginia, has lived in the area for the past 12 years.
Ken Thorne, 43, of Atlanta, Ga., has been her devoted longdistance boyfriend for 18 months.
“I was in Georgia when I got the call Saturday morning from her cousin,” Thorne said. “I made a promise to her that if anything ever happened to her on the first flight.”
True to his pledge, Thorne immediately headed for the airport with just the clothes on his back.
“I bought a ticket online and hopped on the airplane,” Thorne said. “It took me about five hours to get to see her on Saturday afternoon.”
According to Thorne, the couple met through an exercise group on a Facebook page.
“We both have a passion for running and exercise,” Thorne said.
Thorne says Kirsch remains in critical condition but is improving after suffered broken ribs, a broken ankle and internal injuries.
“She’s in good condition but she’s got a long road to recovery,” Thorne said. “She has a lot of bruising in the chest area. Mr. (Police Superintendent Michael) Chitwood was exactly right when he said he had no doubt she would have died if the officers hadn’t lifted the car up after she was struck.”
To contribute to the fundraiser visit FreeFunder web page.
Money collected will be used for Kirsch’s medical expenses and expenses accrued by family members in need. I would be