A friend’s decision to check on someone who missed church may have prevented a much worse outcome.
A caller contacted 911 after becoming worried about a friend who had not shown up for church. The caller went to check on her, but no one answered the door.
Portsmouth police responded to the home and found the woman outside in an enclosed backyard.
According to the report, she had fallen several hours earlier and was unable to get help.
Medics with the Portsmouth Fire Department responded and transported the woman to Southern Ohio Medical Center.
The call is a good reminder of how important it can be to notice changes in someone’s normal routine. If a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member suddenly misses church, work, a regular coffee stop, a daily walk, or another appointment they rarely skip, it may be worth checking on them.
That is especially true for seniors, people who live alone, people with health problems, or anyone who may not be able to call for help after a fall or medical emergency.
In this case, someone noticed. Someone checked. And help arrived.