Hero Leaves Apology Note For Breaking Into School To Save 24 During Blizzard: 'I Had To Do It'

Jan 06, 2023 by apost team

A mechanic from Buffalo, New York, has been hailed a hero despite breaking and damaging school property to save 24 lives, including himself. 

Jay Withey was helping out a friend who was already trapped in the middle of a snowstorm in the town of Cheektowaga around 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2022. He drove his truck to get his friend despite the brutal snowstorm. As Withey weaved through the road, where dozens had already abandoned their vehicles, he also managed to pick up and help other locals trying to escape the harsh weather, including Mary, an elderly woman.

However, Withey's truck eventually got stuck as more snow piled on. He tried to dig a path but 

realized that he and the people on his truck could die from the cold the longer they stayed outside.

Withey's group then started knocking on doors and begged people to let them inside. He even asked ten houses to give them shelter and even offered to pay $500 for the night, even if they had to sleep on the floor. They were turned down, according to Fox News.

With no other choice, Withey's group was huddled inside his truck. He turned on the engine to keep everyone warm but soon ran out of gas in the morning. 

According to ABC News, 38 people died during the "Blizzard of the Century" over the Christmas weekend in western New York, prompting the state's governor to activate the National Guard and go door to door to provide medical services. The aftermath has also had Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown discussing better snow response to ensure that deaths will be avoided.

The next day, Mary needed a bathroom, so Withey searched for a possible place using his phone. He saw that Pine Hill School was nearby and told the group that they could go there, have heat and use the facilities.

However, to get inside the school, Withey used brake pads to smash the windows in the school kitchen, causing the security alarm to go off. His actions may have repercussions, but he was desperate to ensure everyone's welfare.

Withey then tried to see if there were still more stranded people outside and led them to the school. All in all, he managed to rescue two dozen people between the ages of 20 to 70 years old. Alongside some pets, the rescued people stayed safe, warm and fed.

Withey didn't leave the school until 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Day when the last of the people he saved went home safely. Before leaving, Withey wrote a note of apology, as discovered by the Cheektowaga Police Department days after investigating the school break-in.

"To whomever it may concern, I'm terribly sorry about breaking the school window and for breaking in the kitchen," part of his letter said. "I had to do it to save everyone and get them shelter and food and a bathroom."

Fox News reported that the police were alerted as soon as Withey set off the alarm but could not respond because of the weather. The area was one of the hardest sections hit by the blizzard. 

In the end, the police did not make any arrests, as the surveillance cameras from the school showed how they were looking after each other as the snowstorm passed. The police also acknowledged Withey for saving lives that day.

apost.com

What can you say about Jay Withey's actions? Do you agree with what he did? Let us know your thoughts, and tell this interesting story to someone you know!