A man was pulled from the wreckage just north of Armstrong on May 5, 2016.
Image Credit: Contributed/Kurt Langridge
May 11, 2016 - 2:30 PM
ARMSTRONG - The father of a man who was pulled from a burning vehicle near Armstrong is searching for the rescuers to thank them for saving his son’s life.
Ted Beaudoin’s son Scott, 46, was the driver of one of the cars involved in a fiery crash last week just north of Armstrong. He and his mom, who was in the passenger seat, were on their way to Calgary, but that all changed when a Volkswagen Jetta pulled out in front of them from McLeod Road onto Highway 97A.
“Scott swerved to avoid the car that was coming out, to avoid getting T-boned,” Beaudoin says.
The collision wasn’t as bad as it could have been due to Scott’s quick reflexes, Beaudoin says, but the crash still caused their 2001 Buick LeSabre to burst into flames. Scott’s mom managed to exit the vehicle on her own, but he was stuck.
“He couldn’t get out on his own because his right hand was broken. His leg was broken and his knee cap was shattered,” Beaudoin says.
While the car continued to burn, three strangers rushed to the scene and helped Scott from the car, which quickly burned down to the tires, Beaudoin says.
“They pulled him out in time without any burns. They saved his life basically,” Beaudoin says.
Scott was in a lot of pain, but maintained consciousness and remembers people pulling him out of the car, Beaudoin says. There was no time to exchange names, however, and now Beaudoin is hoping to track them down to thank them.
“I think they should be thanked and honoured for their act of bravery. It was just a heroic thing they did. I’m so grateful,” Beaudoin says.
Once he finds out who they are, he intends to nominate them for a medal of bravery.
He also wishes to thank all the first responders, including police, paramedics and the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department, as well as the medical team at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, for all they’ve done.
“There are so many people to thank,” he says.
Scott has since been released from hospital.
“The amazing thing is nobody died in the crash. It was horrific, and frightening, but so many people came to help,” Beaudoin says.
Anyone who can help Beaudoin get in touch with the bystanders can get in touch with him at tedbeaudoin@yahoo.ca.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016