PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
FCSO DEPUTIES RESCUE WOMAN FROM BURNING VEHICLE
On Sunday, September 25, 2016 Deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office rescued a motorist from a burning vehicle which was involved in a fiery crash on I-95. The accident occurred in the northbound lane at approximately the 164 mile marker. FCSO Deputy Tyler Urquhart was on patrol traveling south bound on I-95 when he came up on the incident and crossed the Interstate on foot. Deputy Urquhart noticed that a passenger vehicle had struck the rear of a 53 foot tractor-trailer rig and was on fire. Upon approaching the vehicles, the driver of the 18 wheeler notified Deputy Urquhart that the female driver of the passenger vehicle was trapped inside. Unable to open the driver’s door, Deputy Urquhart was able to access the driver through the rear passenger door. FCSO Corporal William Odom arrived on scene shortly thereafter and was attempting to extinguish the fire as Deputy Urquhart rescued the driver.
Once the driver was removed from the burning vehicle, she was placed in a Florence County EMS vehicle and transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Shortly after removing the driver from the vehicle, both the tractor-trailer rig and the passenger vehicle were totally engulfed in fire.
“There is no doubt that the quick response and selfless determination of Tyler and William saved this woman’s life,” Sheriff Kenney Boone stated. “We call them heroes; they would say they were just doing their job. They ran into danger to save the helpless. They represent the best of what we do every day and they make us all proud.”
END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
