Alberton couple locate victim

MISSOULA COUNTY – The Rausch family from Alberton only intended to spend the day cutting firewood just across the county line in Missoula County but what they came upon while driving home last Sunday, March 22 would change their course of action dramatically.

As they were driving home on Southside Road northwest of Missoula, they noticed something that made them stop and investigate. What they saw were tire tracks veering off the road and what they discovered when looked closer was a vehicle down a steep hill. Upon further investigation, they discovered the driver of the vehicle was still there and alive after having spent the night injured and exposed to the elements.

Apparently sometime on Saturday, March 21, 19-year old Kyle Flink’s vehicle ran off the road and severely injured as a result of the crash, was unable to climb back up the steep hill to signal for help. According to one of the people who found Flink in the vehicle, he had been there since about 10:30 p.m. The Rausch family did not find him until 11:30 a.m. the next day.

Sara Rausch of Alberton, mother of two and a trained nurse, said it was the sharp eyes of her husband Tanner that led them to investigate the crash scene.

“We were driving and my husband noticed there was a truck down off the embankment,” Rausch said. “It looked like the tire marks where it went off the road were pretty fresh so he went down and found someone was still in the vehicle so we called 911 and he came up on the road to direct the rescue crew while I went down and assessed the person in the truck.”

Rausch said the still conscious victim was able to communicate and provide her with information about the accident.

“He had been there about 11 hours but he was still conscious,” Rausch said. “He was in a lot of pain but he did really good. He really hung in there. I talked to him and found out he had a wife so we called her and let her know where he was. She had been looking for him since Saturday night. She came down and arrived a few minutes before the rescue crew arrived and was able to talk to him. The fire department was able to get him out and then Lifeflight was there.”

Rausch said she had heard from Flink’s wife that he was in stable condition at a Missoula hospital.

She said surgery was performed for his injuries and, according to Rausch, he sustained several broken ribs, a punctured lung, broken shoulder blade and a crushed lower spine.

Rausch said, currently, Flink was suffering paralysis from the waist down but she was told by his wife they were “hopeful” with more surgery and rehabilitation he might regain the use of his legs.

Rausch said she was glad she and her family were in a position to help Flink and that he told them they weren’t the first vehicle to drive by.

They were merely the first ones to stop and see if anyone was hurt at the scene.

“We were in the right place at the right time and my husband was amazing for following his instinct,” Ruasch said. “Kyle said at least ten cars drove by and either didn’t see him or didn’t think to stop and look. He wasn’t able to yell or get out. I’m pretty proud of him (Tanner) for checking it out.”

Rausch also said she and other Alberton residents were accepting items for a yard sale to raise money for the young man’s medical expenses which she said were expected to be substantial.

“Every dollar we earn will go to offset their medical expenses,” Rausch said.