Port Charlotte, FL, Rural Carrier Associate Theresa Nemeth knew a customer well enough to be sure that he wouldn’t have let his mail pile up recently, and that he wouldn’t have gone out of town without requesting hold or forward service.
When she shared her concern with a maintenance worker while delivering mail at the man’s housing complex, he thought travel was the likely explanation since the customer often went away around that time of year. But Nemeth convinced the worker to investigate further.
Getting no answer at the customer’s door, the worker opened it to find luggage nearby and the man collapsed in a shower — barely responsive and unable to move.
While the worker called 911, Nemeth gathered essential items the man would need in the hospital, then sat with him until emergency responders arrived.
The man’s son later contacted the local Post Office to say that his father was recovering and that Nemeth likely saved his life.
