Bloomville family recognized for “act of bravery”

Kleinfelters identified for assistance at a fatal accident scene

[Bloom Township, OH Aug. 22, 2018] – Don and Shirley Kleinfelter took action when needed July 30 shortly after a fatal car accident. The single-vehicle rollover crash occurred just before 9 p.m. in Bloom Township. A woman was ejected from the vehicle and killed. Three youth passengers immediately sought help at the Kleinfelter residence, approximately a quarter-mile from the scene. Don Kleinfelter, a lifelong Bloom Township resident, immediately went into action, having his wife tend to the children and call 9-1-1, while he responded with his tractor to lend assistance at the scene. Seneca County Emergency Services Director Ken Majors, Bloomville EMS Coordinator Marty Chambers and Republic EMS Coordinator Jennifer Hill visited the Kleinfelters Wednesday morning to commend them for their actions and assistance.

“Seneca County EMS is a community-based EMS system, staffed primarily with volunteers,” he said. “It takes about 10 minutes to get to the scene, in most cases. Situations like this, Mr. And Mrs. Kleinfelter got there quicker than we could, activated 9-1-1 and attempted to rescue the victim.”

Majors said the family did this also while tending to three children who had just experienced a traumatic event.

“Sometimes, even God blinks, and we need the assistance of folks like the Kleinfelters to help us manage the situation,” he said.

The Kleinfelters received a proclamation signed by all three county commissioners, a letter of commendation from Seneca County EMS and an EMS coin. The coin is a symbol of appreciation, given only to Seneca County EMS personnel or special community members. Majors said this is the second time a coin has been given to someone outside of the organization.

“A lot of people would look the other way or call 9-1-1 as they drive by, it takes a special person to fully engage into a tragic event,” he said. “We really appreciate it, without them, we wouldn’t be nearly as effective. Their act of bravery is a force multiplier for Seneca County EMS.”

Seneca County Commissioner Mike Kerschner praised the family.

“I think that when ordinary people do extraordinary things, it deserves recognition,” he said. “Fortunately, we have a lot of folks who do extraordinary things to help their fellow citizens.