Liberty County Fire Services Chief Brian Darby is crediting the Dental Staff at Midway Family Dental for saving a man’s life today.
Darby said there was a two-vehicle accident on Highway 17 in front of Midway Family Dental. The accident occurred around 11:15 a.m. when a van and a pickup truck collided nearly head on. Both cars caught on fire and that is when the staff pounced into action, Darby said.
“We were inside, and we heard a loud bang, and we all ran outside to see what had happened,” Midway Family Dental owner and Dentist Tad Jackson said. “One of the individuals who was in the vehicle that was going southbound was able to get out of the vehicle and was placed in a wheelchair.”
Jackson said the male driver of the other vehicle, that was going northbound, was unconscious and appeared to have injuries.
Jackson said his associate Gunn McIntosh tried to pull the driver from the car but couldn't at first.
“The cars was getting more engulfed in flames,” Jackson said adding that he McIntosh and Micah Spivey finally managed to free the driver from the burning car.
He said his fight or flight instincts kicked in.
“We had to get him pout because it was going to blow up any minute,” Jackson said. “And it did blow up. We had to get him out or we all would have witnessed him die. He was going to die. We had to do it.”
Jackson said the driver had extensive leg injuries, but he was grateful the man is alive.
“It’s really awesome,” Jackson said. “I’m glad that he is alive and that he will recover. I’m glad nobody died.”
“We had reports of entrapment and one of the vehicles on fire,” Darby said. “While units were in route, we had patrons from a local business…they rescued someone. “We want to thank those patrons,” Darby said. “Without their help the occupant of that vehicle could have lost their life.”
Darby said both drivers were transported to Memorial with non-life-threatening injuries.
He said the fire caused by the impact was a unique situation and the accident remains under investigation.