NEWS

‘God Took Care of Them’: 5 ‘Heroes’ Pull Elderly Couple from Burning Car in California

Updated: September 9, 2021 at 12:57 pm EST  See Comments

A group of good Samaritans in California jumped into action Monday to help save an elderly couple who were inside a burning car along the highway.

The five men, all from the East County Transitional Living Center in El Cajon, saw the couple’s car on fire along Interstate 8 in Lakeside, KFMB-TV reports.

“It happened so fast, we just reacted immediately,” said Jeff Lucas. “There was someone needing our help, and there was no one there to help, so we are thinking ‘wow, this is going to explode soon,’ as the fire was near the gas tank.”

Ken and Joan Williamson, both in their 90s were vacationing in San Diego from Phoenix over the Labor Day holiday. 

The couple’s son said his parents’ car caught on fire after it was rear-ended.

“Everyone who saw that video knows that if those people did not pull my parents out, we would not be having this discussion right now, so I can’t thank them enough. I just want them to know that they saved two absolutely beautiful people, and we would love to have information to thank him personally,” said Mark Williamson.

There was so much smoke in the car, the men couldn’t tell how many people were trapped inside.

“We just saw this guy, and he is stuck in his seatbelt, so we kind of snatched open the door, and unbuckled the seatbelt. My buddy Barry snatched him out of the car and carried him to the side of the road,” said Andre Leggett.

“I saw how big the flames were,” Henry Hemphill told Fox5. “I realized a few more seconds maybe we may have been too late.”

The brave men are all residents at a facility that offers temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Hemphill pointed out that a year ago, he would have probably kept driving instead of stopping to help.

“I was so wrapped up in myself and had my own agenda,” he said. “Here at this program, I’ve changed. We have all changed.”

Hemphill and Leggett said if they had to do it again, they’d be happy to help the couple.

“I’ve struggled with my own issues in my life,” Leggett admitted to the station. “I’ve been a very self-centered person for a majority of my life and I would just want somebody else to do that for my mom, for my father.”

“I am glad that they are okay and glad that God took care of them and hopefully they will be okay,” said Scott Andre.

Williamson said his father sustained some burns on his left side and his mother had a few abrasions. 

“We are just so grateful. These guys are heroes to us and to our parents for stepping up immediately, and that is phenomenal,” Williamson told KFMB-TV.

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

The remainder of this article is available in its entirety at CBN

Advertisement
Travel Berkey Water Filter System includes Black Filters and Fluoride Filters
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
A Quick Note…

Already a subscriber? Login to remove advertisements. Not a subscriber? Join the Official Street Preachers and gain access to hundreds of presentations and exclusives that cover today's events and how they impact you, your life, and your soul. All while supporting independent Christian researchers trying to make a difference.