A Buffalo man was saved by two strangers during the city’s “once in a lifetime” blizzard over the weekend and is now in the ICU with fourth-degree frostbite.
On Christmas Eve, during the historic snowstorm, Sha’Kyra Aughtry and her boyfriend Trent were at home when they overheard Joe White, 64, pleading for assistance.
White’s clothes were frozen to his body, and his exposed hands were covered in ice, according to the outlet. Aughtry’s partner hurriedly carried White inside.
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After contacting 911 and getting no answer, the mother of three used a blow dryer to melt the ice that had formed on his body and launched a Facebook Livestream to ask for medical guidance.
“The National Guard has been contacted. I dialed 911. They keep telling me that I am on a list even after I have phoned everyone. I do not wish to be included on a list, “White, a developmentally impaired man who is thought to have ventured outside in the bitter cold to work at a neighboring movie theatre, is being treated, Aughtry added on her live feed.
Aughtry continued, “I don’t care about anything else. This man is not going to pass away over here.
She said on the broadcast, “I’m terrified to death, and I’m going insane.” “I’m starting to see that his physique has changed too much since I first held him; it has altered quickly every hour.”
TRUE ANGEL IN BUFFALO 💯 A THREAD: A local woman received a call on Christmas Eve, “Hi, you don’t know me but I have your brother.” The woman’s brother’s name is Joey. He is 64 years old and mentally disabled. pic.twitter.com/iAVQTsf2xH
— Kimberly LaRussa (@KimberlyLaRussa) December 26, 2022
Thankfully, according to the local media outlet Sweet Buffalo, a group of men—also total strangers—saw Aughtry’s recordings and came to her house to assist. After that, they took White, still covered in a blanket, outside their truck and took him to the hospital, where he is now recuperating from his wounds.
Ray Barker, White’s manager at North Park Theater, told CNN that White “was in a mess.” And it’s evident that (Aughtry) saved his life.
He continued, “We’ve been genuinely concerned about Joe. We are eager for him to return to the theatre since we are confident he is now receiving excellent medical treatment.
More than $50,000 has now been raised for White’s recovery by the movie theatre.
Yvonne White, Joe’s sister, owes Aughtry and her boyfriend money. She told CNN, “We were all trying to help each other, and it was beautiful.” She said, referring to Sha’Kyra and her three sons, “And now I feel like I have a sister and three nephews.”