New Jersey Bicyclist Kenneth Pierce Rescued when Bystanders Lift Car

Aren't people beautiful? A New Jersey bicyclist is reported to have been rescued by passerby and bystanders out from underneath a car in Hamilton Township, New Jersey on Friday, December, 31, 2010. Fortunately for him, his accident occurred near a group of approximately forty people who had assembled for a time capsule ceremony being held at the War Memorial Park.

According to a report from theblaze.com, the crowd of heroes were holding the ceremony when someone heard a scream. It was discovered that 32-year-old Kenneth Pierce was trapped underneath a car which had struck him as he rode. Apparently, the driver was unaware he had hit the New Jersey bicyclist and continued driving, according to witness Chris Groome. Driver Charles Kelly, 58, had dragged the New Jersey bicyclist nearly 75 feet.

Approximately a half-dozen bystanders chose to not wait for emergency responders. Without a moment to spare the group converged upon the vehicle and in a joint effort, picked it up enough to pull the car off of the New Jersey bicyclist underneath. Witnesses say they heard Pierce's pleas of "Get it off! Get it off," and did exactly that. What a wonderfully heroic moment for the people of New Jersey to end 2010 with. What a lucky bicyclist.

So, did the New Jersey bicyclist, Kenneth Pierce survive?
After the vehicle was lifted off, people in the crowd began treating his wounds as best they could, until police and paramedics could arrive. According to The Press of Atlantic City, not only were Kenneth Pierce's injuries non life threatening, he did not even need to be admitted to the hospital. After being treated for injuries to his face and chest, doctors released him. Were it not for the choice the anonymous crowd had made, things could have turned out very different. The people of other nations might say what they will about we "stupid, mean Americans" when we disagree. But when we work together, even for the sake of just one man, we are unstoppable.

Sources:
theblaze.com "New Jersey Bystanders Lift Car to Save Injured Bicyclist" December 31, 2010

The Press of Atlantic City "Bystanders Lift Car to Free Bicyclist Who was Struck in Mays Landing; Victim Released from Hospital after Treatment" December 31, 2010
Originally published on Gather.