There are times when it seems there is nothing to do — when something terrible has happened and all there is to offer is helpless despair.

The five-car crash Wednesday near Fort Duquesne Bridge was that kind of moment. Yes, there were people who could be helped. Yes, there were actions to take to mitigate the tragedy.

But the driver of the SUV at the center of the collision was dead instantly, authorities said. Danielle Jackman, 58, of Churchill, did not have much more time.

She was gravely injured. Jackman was taken to UPMC Mercy, where she died about an hour later. But even before first responders freed her from her vehicle and transported her to the hospital, people were there for her.

Nicholas Hunter of McKees Rocks was behind the erratic driver. When the crash occurred, he got out to help.

Sumer Smith and her husband Josh were on their way home to Amherst, Ohio. She didn’t see the crash. She heard it. The couple stopped to help.

That may seem simple. It’s not. It’s much easier to drive past someone in need and assume the car behind you will do what you didn’t.

It might not seem brave. It is. A crash scene can be a dangerous place. Stopping in such a heavily traveled area has its risks. Good Samaritans and even police officers have been injured or killed at crashes.

But perhaps the most courageous and compassionate act was not a heroic rescue effort. With nothing else to be done, Smith did the only thing she could.

She held Jackman’s hand.

It didn’t restart Jackman’s heart. It couldn’t pull her from the wreckage. It did one thing — the only thing — that anyone could do in that moment. It made sure someone in pain had human contact.

If she was aware of what was happening, Jackman could know someone was there for her.

It seems like something Jackman would appreciate. For 25 years, she worked for Pittsburgh Mercy. Her most recent job? Intervention specialist — someone who steps in and helps connect in times of need.

We cannot all be first responders. Not everyone is cut out to walk into burning buildings. Not every emergency is that dramatic, and not all of them end in a daring rescue.

But connecting with other people, like Jackman did for work and like Smith did for her? That is something in reach for all of us.