After couple stranded in Utah, a reminder to check rental cars for spare tire and jack

“Elderly Texas couple survive six days in desert,” Oct. 14 news story.

I was not surprised that a Texas couple was stranded recently on an isolated Utah mountain road after popping a tire and getting stuck. That incident brings to mind an experience we had two weeks ago in upper New York state. Our Kia rental car appeared to be fine until we hit an illegal concrete structure at 5 mph in Plattsburg. Evidently these structures are quite common in that area and are designed to increase side- walk seating for small restaurants. The impact caused obvious structural sidewall damage to one of our tires. To our dismay, there was no spare tire, jack or wrench in the trunk. The next day, a local tire shop installed a new tire. We surmise that had this incident occurred in an isolated area, we would have been stranded just like the hapless Texas couple. I suggest that every renter should check the trunk for adequate accessories before driving out of the rental facility.