Angels
Mystery 'angel' sought in Missouri (Flickr/Randy Son Of Robert)

Residents of a small town in Missouri have been involved in a week-long manhunt for the Mystery Angel Priest.

Witnesses at an accident spot say the unidentified man, who looked like a Catholic priest, appeared from nowhere and began praying. He disappeared soon after. The victim, 19-year-old Katie Lentz, was subsequently saved by rescue officials and is now recovering in hospital.

"I think that this time I've actually witnessed a guardian angel at work," Jeremiah See of the New London Fire Department told ABC News.

The accident took place on 4 August and involved 26-year-old Aaron Smith, who was allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol. He rammed into a car driven by Lentz on Route 19 near Center. The accident pinned Lentz in her car.

According to a report in The Blaze, rescue officials spent an hour trying to save Lentz. The young girl then gave up hope and asked them to pray with her. And that was when the Mystery Angel appeared, despite a two mile perimeter blocking the scene.

"He came up and approached the patient, and offered a prayer," New London Fire Chief Raymond Reed told KHQA-TV, "It was a Catholic priest who had anointing oil with him. A sense of calmness came over her, and it did us as well."

And in another eerie twist, firefighters at the scene say their equipment was not working until the mystery man made an appearance.

"I can't be for certain how it was said, but myself and another firefighter, we very plainly heard that we should remain calm, that our tools would now work and that we would get her out of that vehicle," Reed added.

Lentz, who suffered broken legs and ribs, was saved but before anyone could thank him, the man disappeared.

"Whether it was just a priest as an angel, or an actual angel coming down," Lentz's friend Travis Wiseman said, "He was an angel to everyone and to Katie."

London