Hero Trucker Saves Dump Truck Driver From Fiery Crash
A trucker is being recognized as a hero after he risked his own life to rescue a dump truck driver from a fiery crash last week in Florida.
Tire Blowout Causes Dump Truck Crash
The crash happened on SR 429 near Apopka around 9 a.m on August 4. Michael Bridges, 61, was hauling yard waste in the northbound lanes when a tire blowout caused him to lose control. His truck crossed the median, hit a southbound vehicle, then overturned and caught fire.
Good Samaritan Trucker Witnesses Crash And Races To Help
Thirty two year old trucker Jason Williams was driving northbound beside Bridges when the crash happened. Williams pulled his rig off the road and ran across traffic to the the burning dump truck.
Hopefully everyone is ok. Looks like the driver was out of his truck. #SR429 pic.twitter.com/b0Cme1IiRI
— Craig Evans (@TheCraigEvans) August 4, 2016
As he approached the dump truck, Williams said that the door opened and Bridges screamed, “Help! I’m burning up!” Williams said he climbed up on the truck, grabbed Bridges by the arms and yanked, but the skin came off of Bridges’s arms and Williams lost his grip.
Then Williams grabbed Bridges by his pants and yanked hard and both men fell backwards onto the grass. Williams said that Bridges hugged him and said, “Oh my God. Thank you, brother. Thank you, brother. You saved my life.”
Dump Truck Driver In Critical Condition
Bridges was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition. Williams suffered minor burns to his head, face, and wrist.
No other injuries were reported.
UPDATE: Vehicle on fire on SR-429 SB after Ocoee Apopka Rd at mm 29, SB closed, NB is now open. #OrlandoTraffic pic.twitter.com/ecxJ9Dmd3f
— News 96.5 Traffic (@965traffic) August 4, 2016
Sources:
WFTV
The Orlando Sentinel
WESH