By Victoria A. Rocha, NRECA staff writer

In the tight-knit communities served by electric cooperatives, there’s often a perception that “everyone knows each other.”

That was the case earlier this month in Fayetteville, when line crews from South River EMC helped stabilize a woman injured in a head-on collision with a pickup truck. That rescue team included the victim’s brother-in-law.

Jennifer Lambert, 29, suffered multiple fractures in her arm and leg after her SUV was hit head-on by the driver of a Ford pickup truck attempting a left-hand turn at an intersection, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Crews were working on repairs across the street when they witnessed the crash. They shut down the job, grabbed first-aid kits and rushed to the chaotic scene, where Lambert was trapped in her car, unconscious.

“Car horns were blaring, and we thought she was dead at first,” said Tom Carter, crew foreman. “Her arm was bleeding heavily, and a bone was exposed.”

Crews were working on repairs across the street when they witnessed the crash. They shut down the job, grabbed first-aid kits and rushed to the chaotic scene, where Lambert was trapped in her car, unconscious.

During the flurry of activity, crew member Seth Lambert at first didn’t recognize his sister-in-law. “But once things started slowing down, I realized it was her,” he said. “It definitely felt more serious knowing the person, but I just wanted to let my brother know ASAP.”

He called 911 and then his brother, Ashton, arrived just before emergency crews. In the meantime, the crew, which also included Derek Avery, Austin Britt and Kaleb Barnhill, made a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Once the victim regained consciousness, they kept her still. They also cut the wire to silence the car horn.

Jennifer was airlifted twice to hospitals in Fayetteville and then Raleigh. The truck driver had minor injuries, according to the state highway patrol.

Despite the dramatic situation, the crew was well-prepared to help. South River EMC trains all employees in first aid and CPR/AED defibrillator use. In addition, lineworkers attend weekly safety meetings and review safety measures before each job. A day after the crash, the co-op posted a message on its Facebook page from the victim’s husband.

“A genuine thank you to all the guys that jumped to action instead of standing around. What they did will never be forgotten.”

Jennifer, who works as a 911 dispatcher, noticed the co-op crews working on the side of the road just before the accident. Little did she know that they would be her rescuers minutes later.