Survivors Share Stories of Gratitude After Near-Death Experiences
In January 2024, a tragic car accident turned into a miraculous survival story for Alexander Wisniewski, a 19-year-old from Commack. Wisniewski was cruising on Old Commack Road in a stylish purple BMW M5 Competition when disaster struck. The car lost control, collided with a tree, and erupted into flames reaching six feet high.
“I was stuck inside, unconscious, with severe brain trauma and bleeding,” Wisniewski, a talented soccer player who had been training with prominent German clubs, recalled. Despite the harrowing circumstances, he credits the quick actions of first responders and bystanders for his remarkable recovery.
The immediate hero of the situation was paramedic Michael Mancino, along with two sanitation workers who happened to be driving by. “We grabbed our fire extinguishers and managed to contain the flames until the fire department arrived,” Mancino said. Given the destruction of the vehicle, it was a miracle that Wisniewski survived.
This past week, Wisniewski had the opportunity to express his gratitude to Mancino at a special event honoring emergency service workers. As emotions ran high, he thanked Mancino and the sanitation workers for their heroism. “I didn’t expect to see him again, let alone to be alive,” Mancino shared, visibly moved.
In the months following the accident, Wisniewski faced a challenging recovery. He had to relearn how to walk, use his arm, and even speak—simple abilities most of us take for granted. His journey to regain normalcy has been strenuous, but he now feels about 90% back to his regular self. “I owe my life to Michael and those brave workers,” he stated. “They were true angels that day.”
Irene Macyk, president of South Shore University Hospital, reflected on Wisniewski’s journey, saying that witnessing a patient reclaiming their quality of life is incredibly fulfilling for healthcare professionals. Wisniewski is currently gearing up to return to playing soccer at Florida Atlantic University and is thrilled about scoring his first goal post-recovery.
In another story of survival, 33-year-old Anthony Dees of Central Islip faced a near-fatal motorcycle accident last June. Dees has no memory of the incident, in which he was hit by a car. The crash left him with multiple severe injuries, including a ruptured spleen and collapsed lungs. Reports at the scene suggested that he was dead.
Against the odds, Dees has also made a remarkable recovery. After a year of intense rehabilitation and support from friends and family, he can now walk with the help of a cane, a testament to his resilience. “I had an incredible number of visitors at the hospital—around 250 people. Their support really touched my heart,” Dees reflected.
Though the journey has been tough, his determination to return to work as a mechanic grows stronger each day. “I’m mentally ready to get back to my job; I just need my body to cooperate,” he explained.
Dees recently attended an event to express his appreciation to the EMS crew that saved his life. He shared an emotional moment, expressing his gratitude and admiration for their outstanding work. “I wanted them to know how much I appreciate everything they did for me. If I could get on my knees to thank them, I would,” he said, unable to hold back tears.
Both Wisniewski and Dees’s stories underline a compelling message: the importance of first responders and the incredible spirit of human resilience. They remind us that even in moments of great despair, there is hope and light shining through the darkness, all thanks to the bravery of those ready to act in a crisis. As these survivors heal and look toward new beginnings, they carry with them an unwavering appreciation for life and the second chances they’ve received.
