Local elderly man rescued by mailman

A mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service also delivered life-saving help to an elderly man who was hurt after a fall.

The mailman, William Searuggs, said the incident happened Jan. 14 at the home of Max Patterson, 86, on Ely Street in Security-Widefield.

Searuggs said he first noticed blood in several places outside the front door.

“As I placed the mail in the box, I heard Mr. Max scream for help, and to come in and open the door,” Searuggs said. “As I opened the door (and) went inside, he was lying on the ground.”

Searuggs said the ground was covered with ice and snow, and he surmised that Patterson slipped and fell while placing outgoing mail in his mailbox.

“As he was trying to maybe sit down at the chair, he fell back against the wall and bumped his head again — this time, a little bit more severely,” Searuggs said. “I got a rag, held it against his head and called 911 for the (ambulance).”

Patterson’s daughter, Wendy Cohen, said her father has had several mild strokes and falls recently.

“That’s why the neighbors were sweet and put his newspapers on the porch for him,” she said. “He didn’t have good balance and was on blood-thinning medication. He told me he doesn’t remember going back inside. We’re thankful and grateful for the mailman.”

Gloria Hoyt, one of Patterson’s next-door neighbors, said she misses him and hopes he recovers soon.

“We’ve lived here since 1979,” she said. “Max and his family were already living there. He’s been a super, wonderful neighbor. We can just rely and depend on him any time that we go out of town.”

Searuggs said the incident has given him a new perspective on life.

“It just makes me kind of wonder — should I speak to people a little bit more?” he said. “You never know. You may not get a chance to see them again.”