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'It was a miracle'

Man pulled from burning car grateful to rescuers

Richard Gould

Christopher Kale examines the charred interior of his Chevy Blazer on Tuesday.

By Richard Gould | Hickory Daily Record

Published: September 16, 2009

CONOVER - Christopher Kale, 37, of Claremont, arrived at K & T Recovery and Automotive on Tuesday morning and headed straight for his charred Chevy Blazer.

As he approached it, he stopped short and in a low tone and said, "I didn't think it would be this bad."

His girlfriend Christina Powell, 37, said, "The back seat with your head rest is fried — that's where you were you were sitting."

The vehicle they were examining had slammed into a roadside ditch beside the eastbound lane at 1120 N.C. 16 North near Tri-City Electronics in Conover on Friday morning.

Kale said the accident happened when he had a seizure and lost consciousness when he was driving home from his dialysis appointment. His vehicle careened into the ditch. The engine raced and the wheels spun because his foot was wedged against the gas pedal.

Marvin Stanley, 33, of Conover was passing by when he pulled over to lend a hand. He flagged down some other motorists and together they pulled Kale from the smoking truck just before it burst into flames.

Kale said he doesn't remember the accident and is grateful to be alive.

"I feel very grateful that somebody saved me, because I had no idea what was going on," Kale said.
To his rescuers he said, "Thank you for saving me — somebody you didn't know."

After the accident he was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center. He was released from the hospital Sunday night.

While they looked through the Blazer, Powell found an object that had escaped the flames — Kale's Bible.

"There was fire all around and the Bible wasn't burned," she said. "I believe in miracles because this had to be one. I thank God that he wasn't ready to bring Kale home yet and left him here with us."

Kale said his close call has given him new perspective. "It makes me appreciate life."