DETROIT — A group of motorists stepped in to assist four people trapped inside a burning, damaged car on the Southfield Freeway near Joy Road, as WDIV ClickOnDetroit reported.
Kenneth Taylor was traveling home with his family following a large trunk-or-treat gathering in Highland Park when they came across the crash scene. Seeing the vehicle caught in flames on the side of the freeway, Taylor and several other drivers pulled over to render aid.
Upon stopping, Taylor observed other bystanders actively assisting a woman out of the front seat. A man occupied the front passenger seat, while two additional individuals were trapped in the rear of the vehicle.
Taylor opened a door to reach the occupants and helped pull one of the rear passengers away from the vehicle. As flames expanded across the automobile and popping sounds began coming from the wreckage, he turned back to help another person who remained stuck inside.
Refusing to leave the remaining individual behind, Taylor reached inside the vehicle, freed the passenger, and dragged him across the ground away from the fire, despite broken glass covering the area. Taylor and his fiancee stayed at the location to continue assisting the injured individuals alongside other bystanders who had stopped at the scene. Video taken during the incident showed his fiancee and other rescuers comforting and supporting the crash victims on the side of the freeway.
While waiting for emergency responders, two of the rescued individuals informed Taylor that they were unable to move their legs.
According to a spokesperson for Detroit Fire Rescue, the initial emergency medical services unit reached the scene within 4 minutes and 21 seconds of the first 911 call being placed. Firefighters aboard Engine 55 arrived at the freeway location shortly after the first responders. Medical personnel transported the injured passengers from the scene to Sinai-Grace Hospital for treatment.
Following the rescue, a relative of one of the vehicle occupants reached out to Taylor to inform him that two of the injured individuals required surgical procedures. Taylor stated that he hopes to receive additional updates regarding their condition and recovery process, calling the event a life-changing experience for everyone involved.
At the time of reporting, the Michigan State Police had not released an update regarding their official investigation into the cause or circumstances of the crash on the Southfield Freeway.
Taylor is asking anyone with details regarding the condition of the injured passengers to reach out to him through his business social media accounts listed under The Shoe Doctor.
