A woman on her way to undergo a heart transplant just one day after Thanksgiving still has plenty to be thankful for after New York State Police troopers rescued her from being stranded in a snowstorm.
On Friday, Nov. 29, the 64-year-old woman, who uses a battery-powered heart pump, and her husband were traveling by car from Rochester, N.Y., to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for her transplant surgery.
However, according to a New York State Police release reviewed by PEOPLE, the couple became stranded while commuting on New York State Route 5 near Portland due to road conditions amid the snowstorm.
“Before the situation became critical, the husband made contact with a nurse from Cleveland Clinic,” the statement read. “That nurse was able to contact the state police, and troopers were able to maintain continuous contact and locate them with a NYSP Utility Task Vehicle.”
After finding the stranded couple, troopers transported the woman to Portland Fire Department, then Westfield Memorial Hospital and later to Jamestown Airport, where she was flown by plane to Cleveland Clinic for surgery.
The New York State Police shared the rescue mission on Facebook, where a woman claiming to be the heart transplant patient’s daughter commented, “Words will never express the extreme gratitude my family and I have for you … That’s my mom you saved!”
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“This is an incredible story of perseverance and coordination,” NYSP wrote in their statement . “The actions of the troopers, medical staff and transportation teams highlight how critical teamwork and quick thinking can save lives, even in the face of severe weather conditions.”
“It’s heartening to see such dedication to ensuring a patient received a life-saving heart transplant despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm,” continued the statement, which did not disclose the couple’s names.
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