A woman in Saginaw, Michigan, was fortunately rescued from a burning vehicle by a group of local police officers who heroically pulled her from the flames. She remains hospitalized with serious injuries but is expected to survive.
As reported by MLive, the incident occurred on Thursday, May 14. At around 8:37 p.m., Saginaw Police Department officers responded to North Mason Street. They had been informed about a single-vehicle crash.
Dispatchers advised that the vehicle had struck a parked car. Due to the force of the impact, the vehicle in question rolled over onto its side. As a result, the driver, the aforementioned woman, was trapped inside.
Officers arrived at the scene and found that flames were beginning to engulf the vehicle. The 24-year-old woman, trapped, was unable to escape from the inferno.
Trapped Woman’s Rescue
Identified by Saginaw Police Deputy Chief Matthew Gerow, Officers Cameren Hawkins and Peter Miller broke windows. Officer Jordan Kuhn joined them and was able to pull the woman out of the burning car. All the while, a civilian used a fire extinguisher to aid the responding officers.
The unnamed woman was rushed to a local hospital, having suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and the subsequent fire. While she remains hospitalized, she is listed in stable condition, Mid Michigan Now reported. Fortunately, she is expected to survive.
Firefighters eventually were able to put out the fire, and the aforementioned officers underwent exposure precautions. According to Chief Gerow, they were exposed to the woman’s blood.
Photos Depict Violent Crash
Photos of the crash began circulating online shortly after it occurred. Breaking News 989, a Saginaw media outlet, posted over two dozen photos of what remained of the 24-year-old woman’s vehicle.
The blue sedan was absolutely totaled. The most obvious sign that it was a very serious accident was the fact that the force of impact was so big that the car lost its engine, which could very well explain how quickly the fire started.
The pictures show other pieces of the car scattered across the yard in what appears to be a residential area. Police officers are seen assessing the scene, while firefighters are shown carrying some of the sedan’s parts, including the front passenger’s door.
Officers Hailed as Heroes
Chief Gerow applauded his officers for their bravery and professionalism, as well as for their willingness to help those in need.
“We witnessed the very best of what policing represents: courage, decisive action, and an unwavering commitment to preserving life,” Chief Gerow said. “Without hesitation, these officers ran toward a burning vehicle, broke through the windows, and pulled a woman to safety in what was truly a matter of seconds.”
Users online reacting to the crash also shared Chief Gerow’s sentiment, praising the officers and neighbors who acted quickly to save the woman’s life in an otherwise most likely fatal crash.