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| Rural Carrier Jeff Cummings |
When New Sweden, ME, Rural Carrier Jeff Cummings noticed that one of his elderly customers hadn't picked up his mail for a couple of days, he stopped in to check on him.
As he did, he heard a muffled sound, so he cracked open the unlocked front door and called to ask if anyone was home. This time, Cummings heard a moan, so he entered the house and found his customer on the bathroom floor, unable to stand on his own. The carrier helped him up and talked to him until he was able to get his bearings. Despite his weakened condition, the man refused to allow his carrier to call an ambulance.
The man has no family members, so Cummings persuaded him to provide a friend's phone number, then called the latter to explain what had happened. The customer seemed to be regaining strength and, as his friend promised to come right over and keep an eye on him, Cummings resumed his deliveries. He continued to call his customer throughout the day to make sure he was alright until the friend arrived.
The next day, the customer collapsed again and his friend had him transported to a local hospital where he was admitted for observation. Twice in two days, Jeff Cummings' actions may well have prevented a tragedy.
