CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Coast Guardsaman rescued a man from a burning car early Saturday morning in Charleston.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Pettett was driving to work at approximately 2:30 a.m., when he noticed something glowing on the side of the road up ahead. A fire was slowly engulfing a minivan that had driven off the road and struck a tree. Pettett pulled off the road and attempted to free the driver. Two other good Samaritans arrived and together they were able to free the man behind the wheel. Pettett returned to the minivan to search for additional passengers, but none were found. He returned to the driver and administered first aid until paramedics arrived.
"When I arrived on scene, it was my duty as a Coast Guardsman, and as a person, to render assistance and make notifications to emergency response personnel," said Pettett. "Nobody is a bystander to an accident when you are the first on scene. You become the first responder."
The extent of the driver's injuries are unknown.
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