Deputies speak about rescuing driver from burning vehicle

September 01, 2011|By Brian Heap | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — They couldn't stand by and watch a man burn to death. That's why two Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputies say they put their own lives on the line to free a driver from a fiery pick-up truck.

The drama unfolded Wednesday morning in the 3700 block of South Broadway, near Haysville. The driver in the burning Chevy pick-up had earlier been seen crashing into at least two vehicles and striking several streets signs along Broadway between 71st & 63rd Streets South.

KHP investigators later determined the 65 year-old driver was a diabetic and had been suffering the effects of low blood sugar when he apparently lost control of the wheel and became disoriented.

"I kept telling him your truck is on fire ... Get out," said Deputy Tom Delgado. The 14 year deputy was first to arrive on the scene.

"I'm trying to reach in and pull him out. He won't let go of the steering wheel," Delgado said.

Dash-cam video released by the Sheriff's Office shows the fire get worse and the black smoke become thicker.

Delgado couldn't see the driver, but could hear the man coughing.

"I couldn't live with myself to watch this man burn up in this vehicle right in front of me. There's no way I could live with myself," he said.

Within a minute, Deputy Joe Page arrived and began using a handheld fire extinguisher on the truck.

"I had three thoughts in my head: We have to save him. He's going to die or we're all three going to die," said Page.

As the two deputies fight through the smoke and intense heat, Delgado was able to cut the man loose from his seat belt. They each grabbed an arm and began to pull.

"We pulled him hard. I'm surprised he didn't suffer any injuries from us pulling him out of the truck," said Page. "The seat belt had to unwind around his waist and he was holding onto the steering wheel pretty good."

The deputies and the driver were all treated for smoke inhalation. All will be OK. Sheriff Bob Hinshaw called Delagdo and Page the standard for the law enforcement agency and said both were likely to receive formal commendations in the future.

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