Pair saves man from flaming car

A Claremont, N.H., man is alive thanks to the quick action of two Good Samaritans from Maryland who pulled him out of his burning car, Vermont State Police said Friday.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20151024/NEWS02/151029654

Provided photo A New Hampshire man was trapped in this car until passing motorists stopped and pulled him out just before it became engulfed in flames. Published October 24, 2015 in the Rutland Herald Pair saves man from flaming car By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — A Claremont, N.H., man is alive thanks to the quick action of two Good Samaritans from Maryland who pulled him out of his burning car, Vermont State Police said Friday. Gene Farnham, 66, was trapped in his car, which was on fire after it crashed into some trees in the median of Interstate 91, about three miles north of Exit 7 in Springfield, according to Capt. Ray Keefe. Marie Lajoie and her father Michael Lajoie stopped on I-91 shortly after the 12:40 a.m. accident. When they approached Farnham’s car, a 2008 Chrysler Sebring with fire showing under its hood, they could hear him inside the vehicle calling for help, police said. The Lajoies were unable to see Farnham because of the smoke inside the car, and he was unable to unlock his doors or put his windows down. Michael Lajoie broke the rear passenger window, police said, and with his daughter dragged Farnham from the burning vehicle moments before it became fully enfulfed in flames. Springfield Police Officer Steven Neilly arrived first on the scene, shortly after the Lajoies extricated Farnham. He helped them move the man farther from the burning wreckage and across the interstate until rescue workers arrived. “Marie and Michael Lajoie’s quick thinking and selfless actions placed themselves in harm’s way and undoubtedly saved Farnham’s life,” Trooper Ryan Wood wrote in his report. Keefe said the Lajoies continued on to Canada and didn’t want to talk to the media about their heroics. Police did not release their Maryland hometowns. Keefe said Farnham was transferred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from Springfield Hospital, where he was first taken after his extrication. The captain said he didn’t know the extent of Farnham’s injuries, but Wood said they were not life threatening in his report. Keefe, commander of D Troop covering the southeastern part of the state, said that in a rural state with miles of interstate the police depend on Good Samaritans. But people helping at a scene is a delicate balance. Keefe recalled a recent crash at which many people had stopped to help, but they were standing in the interstate. “People went to help, but it’s a balance, it’s definitely a balance, ” the captain said. “The Lajoies did a tremendous job,” he added. Neither Wood nor Neilly could be reached Friday; dispatchers said they were on the night shift. Vermont State Police are continuing to investigate the crash. Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call Trooper Ryan Wood at 875-2112.