A man from Seminole, Florida, rescued a driver from a burning vehicle following a severe accident early Sunday morning, according to a Fox 13 report.
According to Florida Highway Patrol officials, a driver under the influence lost control of his vehicle, struck a pole and subsequently crashed into The Second Time Around consignment store.
Travis DuPont was reportedly returning home from work when the accident happened. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, DuPont swiftly moved to rescue the trapped driver from the engulfed vehicle, the report noted.
A captured video of the incident shows DuPont standing next to the red SUV, reaching in to pull the driver to safety, according to a Breitbart report.
As the flames intensified, a voice from behind the camera can be heard urging, “Hurry! Get out, get out, get out!” Moments later, DuPont managed to extract the driver, carrying him away from the blazing wreckage.
“I saw this man, unconscious, DuPont said in an interview with WFLA. “I reached in, shook him, started yelling at him.”
“I was like, ‘Hey man, you gotta move your legs, you gotta move your legs’,” he continued. “Had it been like, even 30 seconds too late, he would have been in those flames.”
Witness Stephanie Turow expressed her emotions about the incident, stating that the mere thought of what she witnessed was deeply unsettling. She emphasized how fortunate the driver was to have escaped with his life.
DuPont reflected on the innate human instinct to help others in times of crisis.
“Everybody has that in them, the instinct to help,” he said. “I just hope that when the going gets tough and that actually happens, everybody is capable of being a hero.”
The driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries after being pulled from his burning vehicle, according to the report. The report added that no charges had been filed against him as of Tuesday.
The owner of The Second Time Around consignment shop confirmed to ABC Action News that the business remains open and everyone there is safe.
Taking to social media on Wednesday, DuPont expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support he received in light of the incident.
“I’m glad I arrived at the right time and place to help this man out of his car,” said DuPont. “Please be safe when out driving late, and please NEVER drink and drive.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.