Polk County, Ore. – Two Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office employees and a Polk County Reserve Deputy happened to be in the right place at the right time on Wednesday morning. They were able to rescue a person from a burning vehicle, and it was all caught on camera.
Police say that Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Eric Larson and Support Services Specialist Shelby Baker were traveling in Deputy Larson’s patrol vehicle to a career fair at Western Oregon University. While driving on Highway 238 in Polk County, they saw an oncoming vehicle leave the roadway and collide with some trees.
According to officers, the vehicle immediately began to smoke. Deputy Larson was joined by Polk County Reserve Deputy Eric Barry, who also happened to be passing through the area. Fire and medical assistance were called, but after the vehicle caught fire, police say immediate action was required.
Officers say that Dep. Larson and Dep. Barry were able to force the door open with their hands and pull the driver, who was the only occupant, to safety. The cabin of the vehicle became engulfed in flames immediately after the driver was rescued, and two minutes later there was an explosion inside the vehicle.
Police say the driver suffered injuries to his legs. The Polk County Sheriff’s Department is still investigating the cause of the accident.
(Video courtesy of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office)
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