Missouri State Representative Matthew Overcast shared a heartfelt message on social media this week, expressing deep gratitude for the community’s support after a family member was injured in a frightening accident. On the evening of March 7, a family member was trapped when a large log fell from a significant height, striking him in the head and chest before landing on top of him. Overcast conveyed relief and thankfulness for what he called “a miracle” after the ordeal.
In his post, Overcast extended his sincere appreciation to the local emergency personnel, including law enforcement, volunteer fire departments, emergency medical services, and dispatch teams, for their quick and effective response. He specifically thanked County Dispatchers and the Douglas County Sheriff for their swift action after receiving a brief phone call, highlighting their critical role in the rescue.
Overcast also singled out Sam Evans and James Nelson for their professionalism and quick thinking, which led to the successful removal of the log. He commended Ed’s Towing for their help in getting the necessary equipment to the scene. The family’s gratitude for the emergency responders was evident, as Overcast emphasized that their actions would not be forgotten.
In an update on his family member’s condition, Overcast shared that, despite the severity of the incident, the injuries sustained were fortunately not as dire as they could have been. The family member suffered two fractured vertebrae, bruises, scrapes, chipped teeth, and a few staples to the head. Thankfully, there were no internal injuries, bleeding, or spinal damage. The recovery will take at least 12 weeks, but Overcast expressed optimism, acknowledging that had the circumstances been slightly different, the outcome could have been far worse.
“Had a few factors been different that day, we would be having a very different conversation,” Overcast said, reflecting on the close call. He ended his post by reaffirming his pride in Douglas County and his commitment to ensuring that emergency responders continue to have the resources they need to perform their vital work. “Feeling very blessed tonight,” he concluded, deeply moved by the outpouring of support from his community.
