LYNCHBURG, Va. (WRIC) — Three off-duty officers pulled off a dangerous rescue in early March, pulling a person from a burning vehicle in Lynchburg.
According to the Lynchburg Police Department, the involved officers — Lynchburg Sheriff’s Sergeant Hudson, Lynchburg Police Officer Veliz and Virginia State Trooper Herrera — were driving home the evening of Tuesday, March 5, when they encountered the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Route 501 near Timberlake Road.
These men found one of the cars involved in the crash on its side and engulfed in flames.
Alongside other unidentified community members, the officers sprung into action. Together, they were able to free the victim from the car.
“They were not on duty, they were not prepared to fight a fire, but they saw a person who needed help and they stepped up,” said the department in a Facebook post.
On-duty personnel had received a call about this accident around 6:47 p.m. and were en route, according to police. They arrived shortly after the three off-duty officers pulled the person free.
The fire was extinguished and the injured person was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
“The LPD commends these law enforcement officers and we extend our deepest gratitude for their extraordinary service,” the department said. “Their actions remind us that heroes walk among us every day, ready to answer the call of duty and make a difference in the lives of others.”
