Rural Carrier keeps vulnerable woman safe from water

Rural Carrier Theresa Rankin was delivering mail on a frigid February day in Ridgely, MD, when she spotted an older woman walking out of a creek.

Rankin immediately stopped to check on the woman, who was disoriented and said she wanted to return to the creek “to meet my friend.”

The USPS employee called 911, guided the woman to the postal vehicle and asked a nearby resident to bring blankets, which they used to provide warmth until emergency responders arrived to further assist.

“The woman, who has dementia, could have died of hypothermia if Theresa hadn’t saved her,” said local Postmaster Robert Sheckler.