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Gowanda fire chief has reunion with girl who was creek-ridden in car

Submitted Photo Naomi Silleman, 19, of Forestville, smiles and shares a hug with Gowanda Fire Chief and owner of Auto Wrench Connection Nick Crassi at the business. This was one day after Silleman’s vehicle went into Cattaraugus Creek.

GOWANDA — A day after the almost-tragic event when a girl found herself floating along the Cattaraugus Creek in her car, the victim and Gowanda Fire Chief Nick Crassi had a reunion — on better terms.

Naomi Silleman, 19, of Forestville, was the driver in the incident. She visited Crassi at his business, Auto Wrench Connection at 2 Mill St. The duo shared a hug and smiled for a picture.

Crassi noted the day of the accident that the incident had a possibility of being fatal if the vehicle turned over. The Sports Utility Vehicle went over a guardrail and went by a steep bank before Cattaraugus Creek. It stayed upright and floated a bit down the creek.

Gowanda Volunteer Fire Department, along with Sunset Bay Fire Department, helped saved Silleman. Silleman was transported to Erie County Medical Center via the Seneca Nation of Indians Ambulance Service with a paramedic assisting from Gowanda Ambulance.

At the scene, Silleman had early signs of hypothermia.

Twitter: @ByKuczkowski

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