A science teacher from Wareham High School is being praised for his bravery after rescuing a woman trapped inside a burning SUV following a serious crash in Wareham, Massachusetts.
Wareham Week Today reported Craig Berriault, who also runs a landscaping business and lives in nearby Rochester, pulled the woman from the overturned vehicle moments before first responders arrived. Police later described his actions as those of a “good Samaritan,” crediting him with helping save the driver’s life.
The dramatic rescue unfolded during the late afternoon of June 23 on Great Neck Road after an SUV left the roadway, crashed into a wooded area and came to rest on its side with its engine on fire.
A Routine Day Turned Into a Life or Death Emergency
Berriault had been mowing a lawn on Maritime Drive when he noticed a woman standing beside the road looking distressed while talking on her phone. Sensing something was wrong, he walked over to investigate.
As he approached, he found an SUV lying on its side with flames coming from the engine compartment. A small group of bystanders had already gathered, but nobody had managed to reach the person trapped inside.
After asking whether anyone had escaped the vehicle and learning that no one had, Berriault immediately attempted to climb onto the overturned SUV.
His first attempt was unsuccessful due to the vehicle’s height, but he quickly tried again. Using the exhaust system and the rear tyre for support, he climbed onto the vehicle despite the growing fire beneath him.
Smoke Filled the Cabin as the Rescue Unfolded
Once on top of the SUV, Berriault found that the deployed airbags prevented him from seeing inside. Moments later, however, he heard a cough.
He first tried to open the driver’s door, only to discover it was locked. The rear door on the same side was unlocked, allowing him to pull it open despite smoke pouring from the cabin.
Inside, he found an older woman who explained that she had removed her seatbelt after the crash before falling across to what had become the lower side of the overturned vehicle.
Balancing himself in the open doorway, Berriault reached inside, pulled the woman toward the rear seat, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her onto his shoulder before pushing her onto the side of the SUV.
He then positioned her safely so nearby bystanders could help lower her to the ground and move her away from the burning vehicle. By that stage, everyone at the scene realised she was the only occupant inside.
Hero Says Anyone Would Have Done the Same
According to Berriault, the woman remained conscious throughout the rescue and was able to stand afterwards. She thanked him for helping save her life and appeared to be in good spirits, although it was not immediately confirmed whether she was taken to the hospital. Berriault himself escaped with only minor cuts and scrapes.
Reflecting on the incident, he said he simply hoped others would have done the same if the roles had been reversed.
He also admitted that some of his confidence came from watching episodes of MythBusters with his seven-year-old son, believing the greater danger was the woman inhaling smoke rather than the vehicle exploding.
Berriault said he understood why other bystanders may have hesitated because of the fire, but he felt there was no time to wait.
After emergency crews arrived and took over the scene, the modest teacher returned to work, joking that he still had plenty of lawns left to mow that day. His calm response after such a dramatic rescue has only added to widespread praise for his courageous actions.