Published: March 26, 2008 02:44 pm         

3/27 - Volunteers may have saved life

FINZEL - A Johnstown, Pa., man escaped serious injuries when his vehicle traveled over an embankment and overturned late Tuesday morning, thanks to the quick response of first-responders and being restrained by a seat belt.

Richard Max Gudowski, 61, was flown to Cumberland Memorial Hospital by Maryland State Police Medevac helicopter following the 11:08 a.m. crash on Old Frostburg Road at Carey Run Road.

"The quick reaction of rescue personnel prevented Gudowski from going into shock and complicating his injuries.

"He was extremely fortunate. Without the seat belt, he may have been killed. The seat belt lessened the severity of his injuries," said Maryland State Police Tfc. Steve LeMay, who investigated the accident.

Gudowski was operating a 2005 Lexus SC430 northbound on Old Frostburg Road when the vehicle traveled out of control and over an embankment where it overturned before flipping and coming to rest on its wheels.

The Garrett County Sheriff's Office also responded.