Independence Twp.- Brandon firefighters Matt Bess and Doug Brice pulled a 28-year-old Burton resident from his car which had been engulfed in flames following a three-vehicle crash at about 6:15 a.m. Nov. 28.
At press time, the man was in very critical condition at Hurley Hospital with severe burns to his lower body.
A 47-year-old Shelby Township resident was driving a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on M-15 south of Oak Hill Road when he crossed the centerline, sideswiping a 2004 Dodge Ram that was southbound and driven by a 47-year-old Ortonville resident. The Jeep continued traveling north in the southbound lane, hitting a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by the Burton man. The car was pushed into the ditch where it caught fire.
Witnesses to the crash attempted to help the driver, but were impeded by the fire. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies and witnesses used four fire extinguishers.
The Brandon Fire Department responded to a call for help and there was some initial confusion, since the accident was believed to be at Seymour Lake Road and M-15, in Brandon Township. This caused somewhat of a delay.
Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur said Independence Township firefighters were called to assist when they realized it wasn’t Brandon Township, but Independence.
‘It was a pretty intense time,? McArthur said. ‘We knew he had severe burns and was still trapped.?
Brandon firefighters arrived on the scene two miles further south and knocked the fire down and pulled the man out about 10-15 minutes after the call was first received.
The man, whose name was not released, was taken to Genesys Hospital and then to Hurley Hospital in Flint.
The driver of the Jeep was taken to Genesys and listed in serious condition. The driver of the Dodge Ram was not injured.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
‘We were all there coordinating efforts,? said McArthur, who adds that it is rare for a car to start on fire from a head-on collision. ‘We do training and it pays off. You wouldn’t know there were two or three departments out there.?
Bess declined comment other than to say, ‘It was an incredible piece of teamwork.?