Editor,

While hiking on Aug. 22, I slipped on a steep gravel section of a trail in South Whidbey Trustland Trails, off Craw Road.

It turned out I broke my left ankle in three places.

My companion called 911 and an EMT crew came to help me. I have never been injured severely before and was upset and stressed.

The EMTs’ care and concern upon their arrival immediately helped me relax. Their professional and effective work getting me off the trail, to their ambulance, and then to the WhidbeyHealth emergency room was excellent.

I had the same excellent care in the emergency room. Dr. Perera and nurse Brad diagnosed my injury, made me as comfortable as possible and helped me understand the injury and my possible courses of action.

Happily, Dr. Henry Yee, an experienced and skilled orthopedic surgeon, was on call and offered to come and perform the corrective surgery that same night.

Dr. Yee and all his staff, too many to name, did good work and throughout treated me with respect and with patient kindness.

Now recuperating, I cannot let the incident pass without noting the excellent care I received at every stage and offering my profound thanks to the EMTs who got me to the hospital, the ER doctors, nurses and staff, as well as Dr. Yee and his surgical team.

Peggy Kimbell

Clinton