Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A Suffolk County woman who was trapped in her vehicle following a car crash in West Hills last Sunday is crediting her co-worker with saving her life after he helped rescue her from the wreckage. Alisa Globuschutz was struck by another vehicle during what began as a routine drive, leaving her unable to move her legs and trapped inside her car, according to News 12.
Keith Gunsel, who works alongside Globuschutz at Henry L. Stimson Middle School and serves as a longtime member of the Huntington Manor Fire Department, was nearby when the crash occurred. After calling 911, Gunsel rushed to the accident scene to assist his colleague. When he arrived, he found Alex DeMoris, a former firefighter and colleague, already at the vehicle attempting to help Globuschutz.
The impact of the collision left Globuschutz with what appeared to be severe leg injuries. “He was preventing her from trying to get out of the car. It looked like, to both of us, her legs were broken. The bones were out and she was bleeding,” Gunsel told News 12. The situation quickly became urgent as the extent of Globuschutz’s injuries became apparent to the first responders on scene.
Working together with DeMoris and a third good Samaritan who stopped to help, the men began the delicate process of extricating Globuschutz from the damaged vehicle. They cut through the deployed airbag that was impeding access to the victim and freed her seat belt before carefully working to reach her. Throughout the rescue operation, Gunsel remained positioned beside Globuschutz, helping to keep her calm during the traumatic situation.
“He actually broke open the glass and he sat right beside me. He was there for me,” Globuschutz said of Gunsel’s actions during the rescue. The co-worker’s presence provided crucial emotional support as emergency responders worked to free her from the wreckage. Emergency medical personnel and fire department crews arrived at the scene within minutes of the initial 911 call and took over the rescue operation.
Globuschutz was transported by ambulance to South Shore University Hospital, where medical staff treated her for serious injuries sustained in the crash. She suffered significant trauma to her spine, legs and knees that required immediate medical intervention, News 12 reports. The extent of her injuries is severe enough that she is expected to begin a rehabilitation program this week as she works toward recovery.
The victim expressed deep gratitude for her co-worker’s life-saving actions in the aftermath of the accident. “He did such a good thing. I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten out of that car if he didn’t break the car open to get me out,” Globuschutz said. She has given Gunsel the nickname that reflects her appreciation for his intervention: “He’s the angel on my shoulder.”
For Gunsel, the decision to help his colleague was an automatic response rather than a calculated choice. “We had talked just the week before and I’ve known her for many years and she’s a good soul,” he explained to News 12. His background with the Huntington Manor Fire Department likely provided him with the training and experience necessary to assess the situation and take appropriate action while waiting for professional emergency responders to arrive.
Location & Road Context
The accident occurred in West Hills, a hamlet located in the Town of Huntington in Suffolk County. West Hills is a residential area situated in the central portion of Long Island, with several major roadways running through the community that connect to other parts of Suffolk County. The specific road where the collision took place was not identified in the initial reports.
The community where both Globuschutz and Gunsel work, Henry L. Stimson Middle School, serves students in the Huntington area. The proximity of Gunsel to the accident scene when it occurred allowed for the rapid response that proved crucial in Globuschutz’s rescue from the damaged vehicle.
Broader Impact
This incident highlights the critical importance of immediate bystander response in serious motor vehicle accidents, particularly when victims become trapped in their vehicles. Gunsel’s firefighting experience with the Huntington Manor Fire Department provided him with the skills necessary to assess the victim’s condition and take appropriate action to prevent further injury while professional emergency responders were en route to the scene.