Today I am linking up with Mama Kat for her Writer’s Workshop.
The Prompt: Did you create a list of 22 things you’ve done in your life last week? This week, choose one item from your list and elaborate! We want the story.
This is the story of how I pulled a stranger out of a car engulfed in flames.
***
Highway 101. San Luis Obispo.
Thanksgiving week, 2000.
Nirvana’s “Drain You” playing from the speakers of the Dodge Ram.
One baby to another said
I’m lucky to have met you…
A glow coming from down the embankment.
The lyrics burning into my brain.
“KEN! There’s a car on fire! Pull over!”
I don’t care what you think
Unless it is about me…
Jumping out of the truck before it made a complete stop.
Running down the Cuesta Grade.
The glow getting larger. Hotter.
It is now my duty to completely drain you…
Dry brush and flames surrounding an unrecognizable vehicle.
Running to the driver’s side.
Nobody.
I travel through a tube
And end up in your infection…
With the feeling of panic setting in, I took a closer look. Was there someone thrown outside the vehicle? Who was driving this car?
That’s when I saw a man inside.
He was slumped over to the right, into the passenger side; the driver side foot well was crumpled into his lap.
I tromped through the brush, around the back of the car and over to the passenger side. The car was a convertible and there wasn’t much left of it. The rag top was completely torched.
Adrenaline is a funny thing. It wipes out your thinking and causes you to act.
Adrenaline is what enabled me to lean into a car engulfed in flames, grab a stranger by the back of the shirt, and pull him out without being burned myself.
Two men ran down the embankment and they were followed by Ken, who brought the fire extinguisher from our boat. They helped me carry the stranger away from his car and lay him down in the brush before quickly deciding to pick him up again and carry him to the side of the freeway.
Pieces of the car littered the 101.
Judging by the bumper, our best guess was a Camaro.
The men carefully set him down with his head in my lap as I checked his pulse and breathing. A weak pulse and shallow, labored breaths had me worried about this stranger’s fate.
He reeked of alcohol.
His left leg was completely fractured and bone protruded from his ripped and burned pants. His wrist was also completely broken in half.
He moaned between breaths.
The lyrics rung in my ears.
With eyes so dialated
I’ve become your pupil…
“You’re going to be okay… hang in there, buddy…”
You taught me everything
Without a poison apple…
“Keep breathing. You’re going to be fine. Hear the ambulance?”
The water is so yellow
I’m a healthy student…
“Is that a Camaro? You did a number on that thing! Here comes the firetruck to put it out…”
Indebted and so grateful
Vacuum out the fluids.
Telling the unconscious stranger he would be okay.
Knowing it was a lie.
Wow!!
That is amazing and sad.
So sad. I pulled his wallet out of his pants and he wasn’t much older than I was at the time. Mid twenties.
Great writing Carri. What a remarkable story! Did you ever find out what ultimately happened to him?
I don’t know what happened to him. I tried finding info on the Internet but couldn’t. I’m sure if it were to happen today, I would have found something.
That is really amazing you saved someone. I honestly don’t know what I would have done in the situation. Wow.
It was one of those things where you just act. I didn’t think… I just did. I think a lot of people would have done the same thing.
That is a mesmorizing story. I am going to believe that he survived and has re-dedicated himself as positive person in honor of the brave woman who pulled him out of his burning car.
I hope so, but in my heart of hearts, I don’t think that’s the case. He was in bad, bad shape and wasn’t wearing a seat belt. The way he was breathing is a sign of internal damage.
Oh this hurt my heart. I hope his fate was different than what I fear it might have been. You had some serious angels on your side that night.
I did. I can’t believe I didn’t get hurt and I’m so thankful those two other men showed up to help us get him up the embankment.
Oh my goodness! My heart was racing reading this and my brain wanted to move to the next line faster than my eyes could travel. I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU HAD THE COURAGE TO DO THIS!! I don’t even know you and I am so proud of you!!
You showed amazing courage and strength here. Adrenaline sure is a powerful tool.
Did you ever find out what happened to him?
I never found out. This happened in 2000 so I had no luck looking on the internet.
So amazing! I would like to think that I might have that kind of courage in a similar situation…I hope I would.
Awesome use of the lyrics interwoven throughout, too.
I think anyone with a good heart would have the courage do act.
Thank you… those lyrics still haunt me.
Hero. That’s what people are who stopped to help someone who can’t help themselves. Thank you for being one.
I’m glad you have a hero, too. xo
That was such a brave act!
Loved the way you wrote this, interweaving it with the song lyrics.
Thank you. I always relate that song with the accident. It was almost like the lyrics burned into my brain the second I saw the flames.
Gosh Carri , that’s crazy! I love your blog! I know I have said
This before, but you are a great writer! I really enjoy reading everything you post.
Thanks, Mindy!
Amazing story, Carri. The last line gave me chills. I’ve never experienced adrenaline like that, but what an amazing thing you did for that man. And what a blessing that no one else was hurt in his recklessness.
Stunning writing. Mesmerizing story. I’m going to go with the “everybody lived happily ever after” ending or I may not be able to sleep tonight.
Wow! That is an intense story! Glad you were able to help!
I’m here from mamakat’s. I’d love a visit back too!
Crazy. This is definitely one of those situations where you learn more about yourself and about what you can do. I wonder how many people would have done the same as you.
Yeah, it is definitely one of those situations. I hope I’m never put to the test again.
Wow!! You are so super brave for diving right into the car. I think it shows your true character. Im hoping he is alive and well–and not drinking and driving anymore. Good for you!
I hope he is, too, but my gut tells me he isn’t.
Regardless, you acted in a way that was brave and truly amazing. Not all people can do that. You should totally submit this to blogher.
I did! Thank you for pushing me to do it. I wouldn’t have otherwise.
Oh, no! What a story! I am so impressed with your bravery. That is wonderful what you did for that man. When you said you knew it was a lie…he died? I can’t stand it.
I don’t know what happened to him. He was taken away in the ambulance, the fire fighters put out the fire, and the police took statements from me and the two other men. He was in such bad shape. Once a crowd had formed, someone said something about him looking like he was going to die. I snapped at them because I couldn’t imagine hearing that if I were him. I just kept telling him that he was going to be okay even though I had that gut feeling he wouldn’t be.
What a crazy story. I’m glad you wrote about it. I was curious when it was on your list last week. Adrenaline is an amazing thing as to the powers that it gives your body. What an admirable thing that you did that day.
The accident happened around 10pm, so by the time my adrenaline wore off, it had been almost 30 hour since I’d slept. It was crazy.
Holy cow. I know I would have stood there in shock and not been able to act. That’s amazing. It must be really tough not knowing what ultimately happened.
I don’t know where she came from, but there was a girl who was bawling. I mean, totally crying her eyes out, standing on the side of the freeway. My MIL was with us, and she finally took the girl up the freeway a bit and was just hugging her. This girl didn’t know the guy but I guess she was just all freaked out. I don’t know if she was with those two other guys or what. After they took him away in the ambulance, she said that very thing. “I was so in shock that I didn’t know what to do.”
Good post!
Wow – that was well done, darling.
Both the act itself and the post – goosebumps.
x
Thanks, lady. I submitted it to BlogHer. Hopefully they’ll syndicate it because Mommy needs more money in the vodka fund!
Wow. I had chills reading this and realized at one point I was holding my breath. Cheers to you. It’s amazing what adrenaline can do, huh?
Omg Carri! I have chills.
You are his angel.
He never got to thank you.
He doesn’t need to thank me. Karma always comes back around. I just hope he survived.
Wow, what an amazing story!! Not many people can say they saved someone from a burning car, it’s like a scene out of a movie or something! I’m amazed Carri, truly.
I sure hope he was able to recover, in more ways than one…
Remarkable story of your courageous behavior in such an overwhelming situation. And so well written.
Wow, Carri! How freaking scary. I would have been scared and an emotional mess or so I think. Thank goodness for you and getting that man out of that demolished car. Did you ever find out if he survived? Died?
Wow! That was amazing. I love the way you wrote this. Did he survive?
I don’t know but my guess is no. Or barely. He was in very bad shape.
What an incredible story. I’m so glad that you shared it. I especially loved the way you wrote it, off-set by the lyrics of the song. It really brings the reader into the scene from your memory. Incredible.
Oh wow you are amazing. Seriously, how many can say they would do this or have done it? What an awful story to be a part of though.
Wow. That is such an incredible thing you did. It takes a really amazing selfless person to risk their life for someone else, especially someone you don’t know.
What a story. So well written, especially the ending. Life is so strange sometimes, I find myself looking back on things that happened and almost not believing they did happen – this seems like one of those. I’d like to think I would have the courage to do what you did.
Wow! You are my hero Carri. And the way that you wrote that was beautiful.
Wow!! Way to go. You must have had angels with you. Glad you weren’t hurt.
Ok clearly your “adventures” of mommyhood are nothing compared to your crazy adventures in the world saving people’s lives!!!!! O.m.g.!!!!!!