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A male driver is lucky to be alive after he was pulled from his burning car off the highway in Southlake, Texas, recently.
On June 7, Southlake Police Corp. Joshua Swisher was conducting a traffic stop westbound on State Hwy. 114 when dispatch alerted him to a nearby vehicle with heavy smoke coming from it.
Shortly after directing the vehicle safely onto the shoulder, flames started to erupt from underneath it.
Video footage from both the dash-cam in the police cruiser and body cam on the officer shows Swisher approaching the vehicle and attempting several times to open the front door before it becomes too hot for his bare hands. He is seen putting on some gloves.
“Get out of the car now!” he screams at the driver.
“Let’s go!” Come out of the car! Open it!” the officer continues, sounding alarmed. “Sir, come out through the window now! Give me your hand! I got you!”
Eventually, the front door window comes halfway down and Swisher can be seen breaking the rest of it and pulling the male driver out from behind the wheel as the car is completely overtaken by flames.
“Alright, you okay?” Swisher says to the male driver once he’s out of the vehicle. “Come with me. Is there anyone else in the car? No?”
Finally the rescuing officer says to his partner: “He’s okay.”
Most of the other vehicles keep driving past on the highway, but a large white truck stops and eventually a fire truck, with horns and sirens going, appears to put the blaze out with a fireman using a firehose.
Corporal gets award for the rescue
For his courage, quick thinking, and decisive actions, Swisher was recently awarded the Southlake Police Department’s Meritorious Conduct Award, according to mysouthlakenews.com.
The award recognizes those employees who demonstrate exceptional courage, professionalism, and performance in the face of significant danger.
“Every day, our officers are prepared to respond to situations that can change in an instant,” Southlake Police Chief Ashleigh Casey told the outlet.
“This incident is a powerful reminder that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop or call. This recognition honors more than a courageous act — Corporal Swisher’s selfless actions reflect the character, training, and commitment our officers bring to every shift, every day to protect and serve the Southlake community.”
