Posted on 08/18/2010 7:30:40 AM PDT by chrisser
Although police typically find themselves scanning witness videos for bad guys, on Monday they put out an alert for a couple of heroes. Officers hope to find the good Samaritans who were captured on amateur video as they rescued a 69-year-old man from a burning car after a collision Sunday in Sherman Oaks. The duo was joined by another man armed with a fire extinguisher and a fourth who used a crowbar to try and break the car's windows.
"It could have been much worse if it wasn't for them," said Officer Jose Garcia of the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division.
Police said the classic 1932 Ford was stopped at a red light on Burbank Boulevard at Vesper Avenue when it was rear-ended by a Hyundai traveling 30 to 40 mph. The force of the crash forced the Ford into oncoming traffic where it erupted in flames.
Patrick Murray, who lives in an apartment near the intersection, said he heard a loud boom and felt the building shake.
"You could feel a heatwave" from the burning car, said Murray, who stepped out on his balcony and saw "a wall of fire."
He said he saw the passers-by running toward the burning car and grabbed his video camera.
"If you watch the video, you could see that I was shaking," he said. "These guys are desperately trying to get this person out of this vehicle. Even in the video you can hear one man screaming, 'Get him out of the car!'"
The unidentified man was eventually pulled from the car. He and the occupants of the Hyundai – two women and two children, ages 6 and 9 – were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries.
Murray and Valley Traffic officers say the good Samaritans should be recognized by the department. They also hope to reunite the victim with his rescuers, who left the scene without giving their names.
"Nobody knows who they are," Murray said. "I think they should be commended, because without a doubt they were risking their lives."
Anyone with information about the rescue is asked to call the LAPD's Valley Traffic Division at 818-644-8000.
Any charges against the driver of the Hundai?
That’s what Americans are supposed to do.
Help when needed, without a thought to reward or credit.
(Side bet, they disappeared because they are illegal aliens)...
All I know is what’s posted in the article.
There is some discussion here at a hot rodding board where the gentleman rescued is known by some of the members:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=503614&showall=1
and
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502791&highlight=vicky+crash
Funny, I was thinking more along the line of Angels.
They probaly left because no good deed goes unpunished. In todays America, parasitic lawyers and black robed predators will see to it that lovers of good over evil will be punished
The reward these Good Samaritans will get if they come forth are summons to appear in court as witnesses.
Or maybe fellow motorists who realized the cops might smell that beer they had with dinner and didn't want to spend the night in jail.
Illegal Angels?
If they are smart they will remain anonymous.
Whatever the circumstances, it’s good to see that there are still some people who will do what has to be done when the time comes rather than standing by and hoping the “authorities” show up in time.
Maybe there’s still a residual “let’s roll” left in America after all.
“Or maybe fellow motorists who realized the cops might smell that beer they had with dinner and didn’t want to spend the night in jail.”
Or had traffic tickets or whatever.
I personally doubt the cops’ motives. Undoubtly they are going to accuse the “Good Samaritans” of some crime.
Leave them alone.
I know good Samaritans who have been sued. I know good Samaritans who have been charged with crimes. I know good Samaritans who have been hounded and stalked.
Just leave them alone.
I guess Americans also just stand and video things instead of calling for help, or getting involved. :(
I know, from experience, that grabbing a camera would’ve been the last thing I thought of—oh well. Maybe the guy with the video was disabled.
"You could feel a heatwave" from the burning car, said Murray, who stepped out on his balcony and saw "a wall of fire."
He said he saw the passers-by running toward the burning car and grabbed his video camera.
I note that he wasn't where he could quickly get to the car, and that he observed others rendering aid before he grabbed his camera.
Grabbing a camera isn't something I'd think to do either, still, sometimes documenting the event is the most one can actually accomplish.
After all, the first thing our heroic protectors (the police) usually tell us is:
They say: "We are on the job! Get on the floor and put your hands behind your back! We cannot have a bunch of vigilantes running amok."
Good work people.
I also hope they stay anonymous not only because I don’t trust the motives of the government and the media but because it gives me a little hope that some of the unknown people on either side of me are good eggs.
Wanna bet that the ossupants of the car that did the hit were UNINSURED & probably here illegally?
Wanna Bet?
Not me- I used to live in So Cal not far from this crash. I left in 1993 & it was already turning into Little Tijuana.
The big trick is going to be trying to replace the 1932 classic car.
Horsehockey. This is good ol’ american way of life. Help the guy and then take off. :)
I’m lucky enough to know a few people like this.
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