One of our own rescuers was coming back from a call when he noticed an out of control pick up coming from the opposite direction. He drove is grey pick up into the ditch line to avoid the accident, but the other vehicle also went into the ditch, becoming airborne, and landing on the top of his causing both vehicles to burst into flames. The impact broke the rescuer's legs and injured his arm. The impact also jammed the driver's door and collapsed the dash onto his legs pinning him in the burning vehicle. The driver of the white truck was able to escape without injury.
This accident might have ended in tragedy if it weren't for the heroics of 6 people. Three brothers, a passerby, an Algood City Police Officer, and a Putnam County Rescue member, all helped save the trapped driver. They first started throwing water that had filled the ditch line from a recent shower onto the flames. They then used a tow rope with one end tied to the damaged door and the other end tied to the passerby's truck, to try to pull the door open. The toe rope broke(you can see it still attached to the door). A log chain was found and attached. It pulled the door down far enough to free the driver and pull him out of the vehicle.
Accident scene from the opposite direction.
The rescuer had his fire retardant turnout gear, and his coveralls with him. He pulled these on top of him to protect himself from the advancing flames. You can see the remains of his rescue helmet to the right of what was left of his blue coveralls. He didn't receive any burns from the accident due to his quick thinking and the heroic actions of the 6 rescuers.
