3-Year-Old's Dad Thanks EMTs, Community

As his wife and three-year-old daughter in Jamesport Saturday, Baiting Hollow resident Eric Giles wants to thank the Riverhead community for reaching out during his family's time of need.

Giles, who operates Giles Nursery on Sound Avenue with his wife Rebecca, said he was faced with the unthinkable when he heard about the accident -- and did know know how seriously his wife and daughter had been hurt. Without transportation immediately available, Giles was unable to rush to help his wife and little girl after the crash.

On Monday, Giles said he wants to thank the legion of Riverhead angels who opened their hearts and stepped up instantly to help.

"One thing that was very special was a local woman who came up to my daughter when she was stuck in the backseat. She was crying, but Mommy couldn't help her because she was trapped in the front seat," Giles said, his voice breaking with emotion. "This woman held my daughter's hand and sang her songs until the ambulance got there."

According to Riverhead Town Police,  at approximately 9:49 a.m. on Saturday when a 2007 Dodge pickup allegedly driven by Jamesport resident John Cain, 72, that was traveling northbound crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a 2011 Subaru Forrestor driven by Giles, 36, of Baiting Hollow, who had her three-year-old daughter in her vehicle.

Cain was airlifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center by the Suffolk County Aviation Unit; Giles and her daughter were transported by Riverhead Ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center and released soon after. Rebecca Giles has extensive bruising but no broken bones; their little girl has minor bruises.

Cain's injuries were also non-life-threatening; according to officials at Stony Brook University Medical Center, he was also discharged from the hospital.

Giles said Monday evening that he wanted to also thank the EMTs, the owner of Duffy's Deli on Main Road, the staff at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and all the other scores of residents who have reached out to his family.

And for all the neigbhors who rallied during the moments after the accident, Giles said, "We are grateful for their help, before the ambulance got there."

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