Columbus police officer saves man from burning truck moments before explosion

3 hours ago
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Ohio police narrowly saved a man from a burning truck moments before the vehicle exploded.

A man who identified himself as Randy called 911 on Wednesday morning to report he was having brake problems while driving on the highway.

"I'm coming up on 270, and I can't get it to slow down," Randy told the 911 dispatcher.

Moments later, Randy had collided with a concrete pillar and his car was engulfed in flames.

"It's getting really hot in here, I can't get out, my ankle's broke," he desperately told the dispatcher. "I can't get out of my truck, get me out of here."

Fearing for his life, Randy even asked the dispatcher to pass a message along to his wife.

"Tell my wife I love her," he said. "Please tell my wife I love her."

Columbus police arrived to the scene at around the same time, and the officers began to discuss the best course of action. Officer Gloria West ignored the discussion and instead rushed directly over to the truck.

"I'm not gonna leave him in there," Officer West can be heard saying on body camera recordings.

Officer West pulled the door open and offered her hand to Randy, incurring burns herself.

"Randy, come this way, come this way over here," West yelled into the burning truck. "Grab my hand, grab my hand."

West managed to pull Randy from the car, at which point other officers helped her get away from the vehicle.

"She went in there despite the dangers, got burned herself, opened the door and was able to pull this individual out," said Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital Lodge 9. "All of the officers collectively dragged him to safety, and then the car exploded."

"He was smoking, this man was on fire," Steel continued. "He would 100% not have lived if they did not take the action they took."

Randy was taken to the hospital for treatment, where doctors reported he was in fair condition. Officer West was also treated for minor burns.

"They made a split second decision," Steel said. "They went in there, they pulled him out, and he's alive for it."

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