Two missionaries in the Michigan Lansing Mission found themselves in the right place at the right time July 6 to save the life of a young woman, who had been severely injured in an automobile accident.

Elders Shane Prescott of Syracuse, Utah, and Doug Jarmon of Midvale, Utah, were walking along a road in Lansing for an appointment when they heard the crash.The car, driven by a 17-year-old young woman, veered out of control and hit a guardrail. The automobile rolled over the railing, which sliced through the car and nearly severed her leg.

The car was so badly crushed it looked as if the person inside would have been killed, but the missionaries heard moaning and went to help the driver. Elder Prescott, an Eagle Scout, took his tie off and used it as a tourniquet above the wound.

A main artery was exposed and bleeding, and it was the tourniquet that saved the teen-ager's life and leg, rescue workers said.

Elder Prescott said he didn't know what to do at first, but heard someone say, "this young lady can use your tie." The elder grabbed his tie and proceeded to tie the tourniquet.

"I was just doing what I was told," Elder Prescott said. "I just happened to be there and was only an instrument. If it wouldn't have been me, it probably would have been someone else. It's no credit to me at all."

But that's not what others say.

"There is no doubt Elder Prescott was led by the Spirit to know what to do and how to do it," said Pres. James C. Taylor of the Michigan Lansing Mission. "It's the usual service of our missionaries to love and respect and help the people in the mission area. We love these missionaries for what they do."

Since the accident, the missionaries have visited the young lady several times and have given her a Book of Mormon.

"This is probably the best missionary work he (Elder Prescott) has done on his mission," said Beverly Polack, public communications director for the Lansing Michigan Stake.

Elder David Allphin, assistant to Pres. Taylor, said the Church had not been well-received by people in the area until after the accident.

Elder Prescott agreed: "We've come across several people while tracting who say, `Aren't you the ones who saved that girl's life?' People have really been friendly to us so it's helping the work."

"Everybody on their mission can touch somebody," Elder Prescott said. "It may not be as drastic, but everybody can touch someone else. I know that."