Trapped Motorist Rescued From Flaming Vehicle By Passing LAPD Bomb Squad Officer, 2 Civilians
SHERMAN OAKS (CBSLA.com) — It was truly a Christmas miracle.
A trapped motorist was rescued from a burning vehicle on the 405 Freeway on Wednesday by two civilians and an LAPD bomb squad officer, who just happened to be driving by.
The car accident was reported at 1:46 p.m. on the San Diego Freeway at Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott.
Two motorists, who witnessed the crash, pulled over to provide aid to the trapped motorist, along with the help of LAPD bomb squad officer Donald Thompson, who was off-duty and just happened to be passing the scene at that moment.
Thompson reportedly jumped over the K-rail freeway divider from the southbound lanes to get to the car.
The flaming vehicle was immediately extinguished.
The driver, a male, suffered moderate injuries, and was taken to a local hospital. The responding officer also suffered minor burn injuries and was taken to a local Urgent Care center to receive medical treatment.
The crash resulted in backed-up traffic for hours on the northbound lanes of the freeway from Sherman Oaks to West Los Angeles.
The number one lane, number two lane and carpool lanes were all closed to clear the crash, but were reportedly opened again by 4:45 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash remains under investigation by CHP officials.
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