USPS logo LINK — USPS employee news Printable

Heroes’ corner

Carrier springs into action after customer falls

Colorado Springs, CO, Letter Carrier William Searuggs
Colorado Springs, CO, Letter Carrier William Searuggs

Colorado Springs, CO, Letter Carrier William Searuggs was delivering mail to a home recently when he spotted blood near the front door.

“As I proceeded to put mail in the box, that’s when I heard [someone] scream, ‘Help, help. Come in, come in,’” Searuggs told the local CBS station.

Searuggs, who has been delivering mail for about 15 years, entered the house and found 86-year-old Max Patterson lying on the floor. Patterson had fallen outside, hit his head and crawled back inside.

Searuggs helped Patterson get into a chair, used a kitchen towel to apply pressure to the wound and called 911. He stayed with Patterson until emergency personnel arrived.

Patterson’s family told the TV station they expect him to recover. Neighbors called Searuggs a hero — a label he resists.

“Not so much a hero, just me getting him the help he needed,” Searuggs said.

Post-story highlights