The priest who was being hailed as an angel after he prayed over a young woman trapped in her car shortly before rescue workers were able to save her has finally stepped forward and revealed his identity, according to Fox News.
Rescue workers were puzzled as to where the priest had come from since there was a two mile perimeter around the scene of the crash. Once the driver of the car, Katie Lentz, was safely removed and on her way to the hospital workers could not find the priest, he had disappeared.
Until now. Rev. Patrick Dowling of the archdiocese of Jefferson City, Mo., came forward by posting a message on the Catholic News Agency's story about the accident.
"I thank God and the amazingly competent rescue workers," Dowling wrote. "I thank them for making me welcome in such a highly charged situation and allowing me to minister as a priest."
Dowling was on his way home from performing a mass when he saw the accident. Fearing the worst Dowling drove up as close as he could and asked a police officer if he could help, according to ABC News.
"One of the rescuers said to me, 'We need all the help we can get right now,'" Dowling said.
The Irish born priest was able to meet with Lentz in the hospital while she recuperated from two broken legs, broken ribs and many other injuries.
"I told her I'm the priest who stopped by the site and she started to cry. I don't know why," Dowling told ABC News. "I think it was the most disappointing moment of all that I wasn't an angel or something."
Dowling complimented the rescue workers for doing a superb effort to save the life of the 19-year-old, according to the New York Daily News.
"The Highway Patrol sergeant was amazingly calm and completely in control," Dowling said. "Everybody worked with the harmony of a Swiss watch."
While Dowling appreciates the credit people are giving him for helping he is quick to acknowledge that he had but a small role in the rescue, according to ABC News.
"Let's remember it was the all mighty who loved that little girl so much and took such good care of her," Dowling said. "I have no doubt the most high answered their prayers and I was part of his answer, but only part."
