Matt Kirkendall sustained injuries to his face and eyes after the explosion of a car battery in his vehicle. Kirkendall was aided by an unknown man the family is now seeking to extend their thanks.
(Photo provided)
What started out as a simple mechanical concern quickly spiraled into a serious situation for a Warsaw man yesterday. Today, that man’s family is seeking the identity of the good samaritan who not only assisted someone in need but may have saved his vision and face from serious injury.
According to Chantelle Bose, yesterday at approximately 4:15 p.m., her stepfather, Matt Kirkendall, 51, of Warsaw, was driving his vehicle when he noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment of the car. Kirkendall pulled his car over on Lake Street near the railroad tracks in Warsaw to check for the source of the smoke. Bose stated after Kirkendall popped the hood of his car, he discovered a small flame and a few moments later, the battery of his vehicle exploded, spraying Kirkendall’s eyes and face with battery fluids.
According to Bose, a bystander nearby called 911 to report the accident and an unknown man came to Kirkendall’s aid. Kirkendall was in extreme pain and was blinded following the explosion. The unknown good samaritan held Kirkendall’s hand and wiped the battery acid from his face until the ambulance arrived. Bose stated that the family believes the efforts of this man helped to save both Kirkendall’s vision and face.
“Honestly, (we are) just looking for the man, or anyone involved really, to give them our personal thanks… It is truly a blessing that this man helped him,” stated Bose. “Initial test show that Matt still has vision. They pulled a large amount of metal from his eyes. His right eye is still patched but a visit today shows that they are improving. He is in pain but that’s to be expected. (He has) A few blisters on his face but nothing near what it could’ve been if not for this man.”
Kirkendall was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital by ambulance and was later taken to an eye surgeon in Fort Wayne during the evening. Bose encourages anyone who might know the identity of Kirkendall’s good samaritan to let the family know by emailing chantellebose@gmail.com.
“If anyone happens to know who this guy may have been, please let us know! The care he recieved from the bystanders, paramedics, hospital staff, (my) mom’s employer and the eye surgeons in Fort Wayne is nothing short of a blessing,” said Bose. “A huge, huge thank you to everyone involved.”