When 26-year-old Jesse James Flagg left his Redding home for work on Mon., Dec. 11, in his FedEx delivery van, he never imagined what he’d endure within the next 24 hours. Flagg never imagined his van would crash in a remote area more than 50 miles west of Yreka that would leave his vehicle suspended between two trees, or that he’d spend the night in the frigid woods wearing only nylon shorts, and a thin, short-sleeved FedEx shirt, minus his undershirt and socks, because he tried in vain to use them as torches to attract help. He never imagined his eventual rescue would require multiple air and ground search crews to locate him nearly 18 hours later; injured, cold, tired and suffering from hypothermia.
When his grandmother, Cindy Corradetti, said her daily morning prayer with Jesse to keep him safe during his route on narrow, winding roads, she never imagined that by the day’s end she’d be asked by law enforcement for any unique marks on her grandson’s body in case they were required for identification.
And most of all, neither grandson or grandmother would imagine that the simple routine they’d started more than a year ago, when Jesse first accepted that particular route, would save Jesse’s life.
Jesse’s routine was to leave the Redding house he shared with his grandmother, and then check in with his family around 8 a.m. when he reached the FedEx terminal off Caterpillar Road in Redding. There, he’d load up his van with deliveries that would take him to areas like Happy Camp, Hornbrook, Yreka and up to the Oregon border, all in one day. He typically worked five, sometimes six days a week in peak times. He’ll log in anywhere from a few dozen stops to as many as 40 or more during high-delivery times, like December.
“I’d say, ‘OK, I have this many packages and stops,” Flagg said from his bedroom where he alternated between sitting and standing, trying to relieve the pain in his lower back. “I’d guesstimate how long my day would be, and when I’d be home.”
the whole story at the link.....his grandmother saying her prayers and saw him in the trees....:-)
the whole community and rescuers turned out to find Jesse....and thats what we all can do for each other...'care and act'
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