SALAMANCA, MEXICO – For Mexico missionary and Easley native John Parker, the last day of his time in Mexico changed his life forever. Oct. 23 began like so many days of his life over the past seven years.

Parker was supposed to be leaving Mexico to come back to the States, but his schedule changed quickly.

Reverend Marc Sankey, the Bible Methodist Missions Field Director for Mexico and Parker left out early for about an hour’s drive from his guesthouse in Salamanca, Mexico to Queretaro where Parker would catch a bus to the Mexico City Airport for his flight home.

While on the freeway, suddenly there were big chunks of concrete in the road, softball size or larger, except for those that had been crushed by the wheels of the cars before them. But soon, as if a bomb had went off, one came through the windshield.

“I saw a blur come across from off the roadway to the right, and boom!” Parker said. “The windshield exploded on Marc’s side and a second rock smashed the passenger side mirror on my side and then smacked my window and the top of the vehicle. In a fraction of a second, Marc’s forehead, eye and nose were smashed.”

Both men thought at that moment that Sankey was dying. The vehicle was still traveling down the freeway, so Parker grabbed the wheel and instructed Sankey, who never lost consciousness, that he would tell him when to press the gas and brake.

Finally, Parker was able to get to the side of the road and park, noticing a road construction crew there. He asked for assistance, but they simply pointed down the road.

Eventually, the two men found their way to a truck stop where they were able to find help and an ambulance was called.

“We fought for life like two wounded soldiers in a war,” Parker said.

A business man appeared and told them where they could find the best hospital, which was in a nearby city. However, they doubted that they would find a hospital like those in the States.

“We made it…and when I walked in the Emergency Room, I felt we were at the right place,” Parker said. “It was clean, orderly and professional looking. The staff responded with full attention.”

X-rays revealed Sankey’s skull had a “cave-in” on his forehead over his right eye and two long fractures, one running across his forehead over his left eye and the other above and across his temple. His nose and eyebrow were crushed.

A prominent Neuro-Surgeon, his associate doctor and a Plastic Surgeon took Sankey into surgery immediately. Sankey was in surgery for hours, but when the surgeons came out, they had a good report. Sankey had come through surgery wonderfully and they were positive about his recovery.

Sankey’s wife, Melodie said, “I am so thankful for our wonderful friend, John Parker. John surely saved Marc’s life… I cannot imagine what would have happened if he had been alone.”

Parker said those terrifying moments still haunt him today. The latest report on Sankey was that he was still in the hospital recovering. Parker is back in Easley.