OnStar Connections » Good Samaritan

"Onstar worked where cell phones wouldn’t"

OnStar — Mon, 30 May 2011 22:00:22 +0000

Marsha Terry’s story:

“Onstar worked where cell phones wouldn’t. I was riding my motorcycle and headed into Death Valley National Park when I took a curve too fast and went off the road. I was injured and bleeding and needed help yet no one’s cell phone would work. A memory that stays with me the most was a gentleman yelling “push the damn button.” I heard him explain to my husband the “damn button” was Onstar. His wife had stayed in their SUV and pressing the Onstar button to get me the help I needed. I couldn’t hear her response but I remember him saying to my husband help is on the way. I could feel the relief in all those around me. A short time later the National Park ambulance arrived and packed me up for delivery to the Furnace Creek airport and an express ride via helicopter to a hospital in Las Vegas. Today I own a vehicle that has Onstar. The day I bought my truck I told the salesman my story. He asked permission to use it when talking with other customers. I was very happy to give my permission since to me Onstar isn’t one of those cute-sie gadgets. It actually saves lives and precious time in emergencies.”

Have you used OnStar to help someone else in an emergency? Tell us about it in the comments below.

"Because I had Onstar, I was able to call for the needed assistance" – Geraldine Alexander

onstarconnectioncom — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:12:00 +0000

“While traveling on a small road in a remote part of Colorado last Autumn, my friend and I came upon a head on collision auto accident. One car was in the middle of the road with a critically injured man trapped inside, and another car was upside down in the ditch. Unfortunately the person in the ditch car was dead but the other who was trapped in the upright car needed help as soon as possible. Passengers from two other cars not involved in the accident were doing what they could to help. We stopped to see if we could assist in any way and asked if we could call for emergency help. We were told that they had tried but no cell phone service was available due to the remote location. Because I had Onstar, I was able to call for the needed assistance. Onstar knew my location, connected me with the appropriate emergency services and police and ambulance were on their way. I thought often of the man who needed help so desperately and wondered the outcome so I contacted the authorities. I explained that it was I who had called via Onstar and so they gave me an update. It is because of Onstar that gentleman is alive today.”

"It is a good feeling knowing someone will be able to find me should I need a helping hand." – James Harris

forumadmin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:02:04 +0000

“We were driveing to Hinton to visit my parents, when we came across a serious car crash. Thankfully no one was hurt but no one could get reception on there cell phones (dead zone). I just pushed the red button and the lady new exactly were I was and was able to direct police to Highway 16 and Range Rd 147. It is a good feeling knowing someone will be able to find me should I need a helping hand.”

Lisa Jennings’ Story

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:39:39 +0000

“Early new years day (1:30am) I witnessed a bad car accident. My husband and my son were in the car as well. Once I was able to give the first bit of information needed to the advisor, I left the vehicle and left my husband and son in the car. I use to be an EMT so I went to check and see if I could offer some assistance until the EMS arrived.

I went back to my vehicle once to grab my cell phone and was able to update the advisor on injuries. I then went back on scene to assist and once the ambulance arrived I left. By that time the OnStar call had ended. My husband and son informed me that the advisor at the end of the call thanked us for being a “good Samaritan”. I thought my husband and son were joking around. I was happily surprised to find out it was true.

You just don’t hear those sort of kind words nowadays. I take no credit in doing what I feel anyone else in my position would have done. Thankfully, we were in the right place, at the right time, with the right service (OnStar) Just wanted to thank OnStar for how efficient and professional the advisor was. This was the FASTEST I have ever seen EMS on scene. I chose to use my OnStar since I knew where we were was going to be hard to describe to a 911 dispatcher. We were in an area of new construction, new roads, and I knew instantly I would not be able to give an exact location. This is the first time in over 4 years I had to use my OnStar for an emergency. Thank you again.”