BEDFORD, MASS. (WHDH) - A New Hampshire state trooper assigned to provide security to New Hampshire governor Kelly Ayotte jumped into action to save a driver from a burning car at the Bedford Toll Plaza Tuesday morning.
New Hampshire State Police said an electric car crashed into the plaza just before noon, then burst into flames. Moments later, Ayotte and the trooper providing her security drove up on the scene.
New Hampshire State Police Col. Mark Hall said the trooper didn’t waste any time jumping in to help.
“The trooper, without hesitation, recognized it was a serious crash and there was clearly someone in the vehicle,” Hall said. “They were able, I believe, to pull the person out through the window along with a couple of bystanders who also stop to help the trooper.”
With the fire raging and traffic shut down in the area, those bystanders were all able to get the driver to safety. Hall said Ayotte also got out to lend a hand but was never in danger herself.
“The patient was injured,” said Bedford, New Hampshire Fire Deputy Chief Eric Dubowik. “Looked like it was easy to move him, put him back in the pickup, pull him away from the vehicle because it started catching on fire and risk any kind of explosion or injury, so they moved him away.”
One of the bystanders said Ayotte thanked him multiple times after the fire was put out.
“The governor was driving away…and they stopped us and thanked us,” said Michael Sullivan. “Then she called me and identified herself later on, like an hour later, and thanked me again.”
Hall said their actions most likely saved a life.
“Certainly their actions were heroic, without hesitation put themselves in danger to render aide to someone that clearly was in need of it,” he said.
The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital, but officials said he is expected to survive.
7NEWS reached out to Ayotte’s office for comment, but has not yet heard back. On social media, she posted that she hopes the driver has a full recovery.
The crash is under investigation.
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