What was supposed to be a simple traffic stop quickly turned into a true act of heroism when a Texas police officer saved a motorist by extricating him from his burning vehicle, moments before it was completely engulfed by fire.
The events occurred on June 7. While Corporal Joshua Swisher was conducting a traffic stop, dispatch informed him of a vehicle nearby with heavy smoke coming from it, according to a Southlake Police Department publication.
In the video accompanying the publication, released last Wednesday, we see the corporal asking the driver to stop on the shoulder of the highway. A few seconds after the vehicle stopped, flames burst out from under the car and spread quickly.
Noticing that the driver was still inside despite the fire growing, the officer quickly got out of his vehicle to help him.
He smashes the driver’s window and manages to pull the man out of the car moments before it is completely engulfed in flames.
“For his courage, responsiveness and decisive actions, Corporal Swisher was recently awarded the Southlake Police Department’s Medal of Merit,” the police force said in its publication.
This distinction is also the second highest award awarded by the police department, reports Global News.
Corporal Swisher saved the life of a motorist on June 7 when his vehicle caught fire on the highway in Texas.
Screenshot | Video released by the Southlake Police Department
Joshua Swisher recently recounted the rescue to ABC Newsexplaining that when he was informed of the presence of a vehicle emitting heavy smoke, his only objective was to find it and remove the driver before the flames completely consumed the car.
The officer said the driver was in shock but escaped without serious injuries.
“It’s not the kind of situation that happens every day, but I was just happy to be in the right place at the right time,” he added in an interview with the American media.
