A Lakewood resident and LPD officer are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a man from his burning vehicle last night and providing life-saving emergency medical aid.
The Lakewood resident, who requested anonymity, said he was on the scene of the accident, in which a vehicle struck a utility pole, knocking high voltage wires on to the car, which then ignited.
“I was down the street when the lights flickered, and as I approached the area, I observed the car with the cracked pole on fire,” he told TLS.
The Lakewood resident immediately rushed to aid the stricken occupant of the vehicle.
As he dragged the injured man from his burning car, Lakewood Police Officer Daniel Spagnuolo, who was on his way to work in his personal vehicle, rushed in to assist as well.
As the two moved the man away from the ignited car, Officer Spagnuolo noticed severe injuries to one of the man’s legs, with arterial bleeding occurring – a life-threatening condition if not immediately treated.
Officer Spagnuolo, who was in possession of a tourniquet, immediately applied it above the wound – a move that doctors who treated the patient say likely saved his life.
The injured driver was transported by EMS to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to save his leg. Doctors believe that the man, who is still in critical condition, will pull through and his leg will be saved as well.
[TLS-15/TLS-CCP]
Kudos to both the officer and civilian who helped save a mans life. It’s no simple matter to run straight into a burning car that might explode at any minute… And I’m not sure that I would’ve had the courage to do that.
In awe. I agree, it took lots of courage to do what these two did and they deserve credit for saving this person’s life.
Officer Spagnuolo, assessed the victim’s condition and as a trained first responder applied like saving care.
True heroes, risking their own lives to save another.
Way to go Officer Spagnuolo. Daniel, you look like someone I know.
Keep up the good work.
These 2 heroes are extremely lucky to be alive. I think that it’s very important for everyone to know, that although they are true heroes and saved someone’s life, it is 100% the wrong thing to do. Any time there are wires down on a vehicle (especially high voltage wires as described here) the vehicle may be conducting live electricity and could be fatal if touched. Occupants should remain in the vehicle until the power is turned off. The only way to get out of the vehicle or to be rescued while the power is still on, is to do so without touching the metal on the vehicle, which is almost impossible.
@a stone- Thank you for your service
another example of why the police should be defunded? maybe those two men should have waited around for a social worker to show up