An officer’s frenzied efforts to free a driver from her automobile as it erupted into flames was caught on bodycam video footage launched by cops in Spokane, Washington.
Around 9:40 p.m. on Friday, a driver called 911 stating that she was trapped in her car, that had caught fire, according to authorities. She was told to break the windows, however stated she wasn’t able to shatter the glass.
Before fire crews showed up, Officer Tim Schwering got here on the scene and used his baton to break a hole in the vehicle’s driver-side window, cops said. When he could not open the door, Schwering eliminated the driver’s side glass so the motorist could leave the vehicle.
Kimberly Novak, who identified herself as the driver in the footage, informed ABC affiliate KXLY-TV in Spokane, Washington, that she was gone to the shop for ice cream when her car struck slush on the road and died.
“I honestly thought that I may not make it from there,” Novak informed KXLY. “I thought I was going to die there and so panic was certainly setting in.”
“I indicate I attempted all the doors and attempted to open them myself then kicking as hard as I could,” she said. “The flames were soaring. I realized it’s happening that quick, that it was getting me quickly too.”
Cops stated a neighbor, who saw the vehicle on fire, helped in pulling Novak through the driver’s side window to safety.
Schwering was treated at a hospital for smoke-inhalation symptoms and after that released, as per cops. The neighbor was likewise treated for small cuts from the window glass.
“Once fire crews arrived on scene, they found the engine compartment completely involved with fire, fire venting to both wheel wells,” cops stated. “The grille shell and bumper had dissolved and were effectively burning puddles beneath car. It’s uncertain at this time exactly what the cause for the vehicle fire was.”
