Two anchors from competing television networks were able to set aside work-related matters in a time of need. Fox news’ Bret Baier thanked MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow for sending pizza to the officers who rescued him and his family from a severe car accident in Montana Monday evening.
Earlier in the week on Jan. 22, Baier released a statement explaining that he and his family were driving to the airport in icy conditions when their vehicle flipped over. Baier, 48, his wife, Amy, and their young sons, Paul and Daniel, were taken to a hospital but have since been released, reported Fox News.
“Don’t take anything for granted—every day is a blessing—and family is everything,” Baier tweeted on Monday, Jan. 21. “It’s always good to remind yourself of that—before something does it for you.”
Don’t take anything for granted – every day is a blessing – and family is everything. It’s always good to remind yourself of that – before something does it for you. #countyourblessings
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 21, 2019
In his statement, Baier continued with: “Thanks to a man driving by named Zach who stopped and helped, we were able to climb out of the flipped car. And thanks to the first responders and Montana Highway Patrol—we made it to the hospital quickly. We are very grateful to all of those who helped us out.”
“My advice to everyone is to always wear your seatbelt and to count your blessings everyday. I tweeted this out as we left the hospital banged up, but alive.”
Many people learned about the accident from CBS late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert, who had booked Baier as a guest for Tuesday night’s show.
“We just found out that he and his family were in a car accident in Montana,” Colbert said. “Bad, like, jaws of life to get him out of there.”
Colbert continued by telling the audience that Baier and his family were going to recover.
“Bret’s message to everyone out there is: They’re going to be OK, thank you for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family, and please, wear your seatbelt,” Colbert added. “It makes a difference.”
Baier was back hosting Fox News’ “Special Report” on Tuesday night, a day after the accident. “Thank you again to everyone for the support and prayers,” Baier said at the close of the show. “Amy and I are very grateful.”
Cross-Media Unity
Tuesday afternoon Montana Highway Patrol’s Sergeant Patrick McLaughlin tweeted photos of the half dozen pizzas sent to his station from Rosa’s pizza, along with a note from MSNBC Maddow’s team thanking him for rescuing Baier and his family, reported Mediaite.
In the photos from the tweet, Maddow’s note can be seen, which reads: “To Trooper Velasquez and everyone at the Bozeman Highway Patrol with great respect for your rescue of Bret Baier and his family. From Bret’s friends at the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.”
Stage line Pizza just dropped this off on behalf of @RachelMaddowSho . Thank you very much for the thoughts. @MTHwyPatrol pic.twitter.com/mRqyUwKCqG
— Sgt McLaughlin (@SgtPatrick127) January 22, 2019
Baier tweeted “Thank you Sgt for sharing this from @MTHwyPatrol And thank you @maddow for sending. Very cool.”
Thank you Sgt for sharing this from @MTHwyPatrol And thank you @maddow for sending. Very cool. The Fire DEPT and EMS is getting lunch on @SpecialReport tomorrow. They had 255 accidents to deal with in that area this weekend b/c of snow & ice #countyourblessings https://t.co/Ms3TY5ICsg
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 23, 2019
He also added: “The Fire DEPT and EMS are getting lunch on @SpecialReport tomorrow. They had 255 accidents to deal with in that area this weekend b/c of snow and ice #countyourblessings.”
Maddow responded with: “Much love to you and your family, Bret. So sorry for your accident!”
Much love to you and your family, Bret. So sorry for your accident! https://t.co/AE82jr7OzD
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) January 23, 2019