A dramatic rescue unfolded Monday evening when Portland police and firefighters saved a 47-year-old woman from her vehicle engulfed in flames after she crashed on Southeast Mount Scott Boulevard. The incident, which took place around 9 p.m., showcased the urgent actions of first responders who responded swiftly to the dire situation.
According to reports, the woman, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, had been driving under the influence of alcohol when she lost control, resulting in the crash. Shortly after, she called 911, letting dispatch know she was pinned inside her burning car. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing small explosions coming from the vehicle as its engine compartment was fully engulfed.
Officers from the Portland Police Bureau were dispatched immediately after the call was received. Upon their arrival, they found the vehicle overturned beside the road. The situation was dire; the engine was on fire, and the police officers knew they needed to act quickly. Body camera footage captured the harrowing moments as officers assessed the scene.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I saw the driver sitting there,” recalled Sergeant Sarah Kerwin, who was among the first on the scene. She described how intense the situation felt, noting how thick the smoke was and how difficult it was to see inside the car.
It became apparent the woman had passed out—smoke inhalation could have been severe, coupled with the fire’s proximity.
When firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue arrived, they wasted no time. Their training took over as they coordinated with police officers to break through the windshield to extract the trapped driver. "It was really intense because there is so much smoke you can't even see in there," Kerwin stated, emphasizing the urgency of the moment.
The fire department acted rapidly, using specialized equipment to manage the flames and provide additional rescue tools to get the driver free. Just moments after firefighters arrived, they managed to pull the woman from the wreckage. Emergency responders immediately began life-saving measures, administering CPR as they worked to stabilize her before she was transported to the hospital.
The driver was eventually admitted for serious injuries, and as of Thursday night, she remains hospitalized but is expected to survive. First responders expressed relief at the outcome, considering the gravity of the situation they encountered just hours before.
Officials have since cited the woman for DUII, or driving under the influence of intoxicants, and reckless driving. The incident serves as a stark reminder about the perils of impaired driving, and police officials reinforced the need for community vigilance on roads.
“I felt this was the epitome of the call you train for,” Sergeant Kerwin noted, highlighting the teamwork and rapid response of the first responders. She acknowledged Portland Fire's quick arrival as being integral to overcoming the challenging circumstances of the scene and getting the driver to safety.
Kerwin, reflecting on her experience, admitted, “This was the first time I've ever, honestly, like seeing anything like this or having somebody call in saying, 'I’m trapped.'” The weight of those words was clear to her and her partners as they processed the intensity of their mission to rescue life from the flames.
The chilling footage released from the body cameras serves to capture the life-saving efforts and the dangers faced by emergency services regularly. The prompt reaction and decisive actions of the Portland police and firefighters turned what could have been a tragic end for the driver to one filled with hope for recovery.
This incident highlights both the resilience of community members and the unwavering commitment of emergency responders, who stand at the ready any time disaster strikes. The situation has opened up new discussions about road safety and the importance of not driving under the influence.
