During the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Clayton Rich Jr. was trying to get home but almost lost his life after being trapped by a flood on Norris Road.
Rich and other family members are thankful for what happened next. According to their account, three firefighters from the Garland Fire Department rescued Rich by pulling him from a vehicle that was being submerged under water at the end of Norris Road. The incident occurred the morning of Sunday, Oct. 9.
“I wish to thank the three men on the Garland Fire Department,” Rich wrote.
His uncle Norman Carter, who served as a spokesman, was also thankful for the rescue effort.
“They pulled him out of the car and unbuckled the seat belt before the water rose up,” Carter said. “They deserve some notification for that.”
Carter lost his vehicle during the incident, but supporters are grateful that Rich lived to see another day.
“He sure does appreciate them a whole lot,” Carter said. “He mentioned them several times.”
Like many residents throughout Sampson County, Rich and Carter were thankful for emergency personnel. Following the devastation, Sampson County agencies performed many rescue missions with the assistance of outside groups such as swift water rescue and search teams from Moorsville; the Greensboro Fire Department; official from Forsyth County; and the North Carolina Forestry Service.
“I appreciate these first responders, the fire departments, the rescues,” Carter said. “They do an excellent job and it was above and beyond the call of duty. There were a lot of things they didn’t have to do, but they did it anyway because people needed it.”
He knows first-hand about the efforts of emergency professionals.
“In my younger days, I was on the fire department and the rescue squad,” he said. “I can appreciate what they do. I’ve been there.”
Carter also acknowledged non-profit organizations, such as churches who helped local residents.
“It was just an all out effort to help the people around this area,” Carter said.
Attempts to reach volunteers from the department were unsuccessful, but Garland Commissioners acknowledge local rescue efforts during a recent meeting. Mayor Winifred Murphy previously credited several organizations and individuals who provided assistance.
“It was tremendous,” Murphy said during the meeting.