Letters, letters, letters * * * To the Editor:

This is a belated letter of gratitude and appreciation to everyone who took part in the response to a serious vehicle accident October 24, 1997, involving our motor home and a Ryder truck. Their caring attitude, prompt action and professionalism is commendable.

I didn't know who to respond to until I had a chance to contact Reserve Deputy Richard E. John at the Sisters Sheriff's Station.

On October 24, 1997, we were traveling west on Highway 20. There were several cars behind us and just before Couch Market Road we met a line of traffic traveling east. In this line was a Ryder truck.

I started watching him when I saw his right front tire drift off the pavement onto the shoulder. He over-corrected to get back on the pavement and when I saw the left wheel cross the yellow line, I had a suspicion that things weren't going to turn out too well.

I braked heavily and headed for the barrow pit and about that time I saw him correct sharply to the right and the truck starting to lift to roll over. We were clear over on our shoulder of the road when the truck dropped right in front of me and I tried to drive through the top.

I feel two good things happened: the truck was on its side and we hit the top instead of the edge; and Deputy Richard John was in the line of cars behind us. He had to have been the one who radioed out and alerted the system as to what had happened.

Lawrence and Mildred Megquire were with us and we were all seat belted in.

When the dust settled, I remember seeing steam coming into the cab of the motorhome and I reached over and shut the key off. I then looked at my wife. The windshield had come in on her and she had her head on the dash and was bleeding heavily. I looked in back and saw that Lawrence and Mildred appeared unconscious. I hollered at everyone and when no one answered I felt I had three dead people in there with me.

About this time, Deputy John and another man appeared on the passenger side. I had been trying to get out but both doors were jammed shut and the overhang had dropped onto the cab.

Deputy John and another man managed to pry the door open enough to drag Ann, my wife, out, and I crawled out that side. We got the Megquires out and people started administering to them.

I know that it had to take some time, but it seemed just moments until there were two fire trucks, three ambulances and a helicopter there. They got us to the emergency room at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Ann, Mildred and I were discharged that evening, but they kept Lawrence for three days.

We feel greatly indebted to the sheriff's department and all the agencies involved. We feel especially grateful to Deputy John for being there and the concern he showed while we were in the emergency room.

Sincerely,

William F. and Ann B. Everitt

Lawrence and Mildred Megquire