Lincoln Police Officer And Bystanders Save Life Of Man Burning In Truck
LINCOLN (CBS 13) – An off-duty Lincoln police officer and other bystanders are being credited for saving the life of a man who was burning alive inside a truck.
The ordeal was all caught on tape. The man was burning alive inside a pickup, which was somehow stuck on the train tracks, and was unable to get out.
"He said 'help,help!' and you could see him reaching and right around and try to take his seat belt off, but he couldn't," said Emmanuel Verdusco.
Elias Sharifie videotaped what he thought was a car fire, but instead saw off-duty Lincoln police Corporal Jeff Morse, who jumped out of his own car and leap into the flames.
"We were all scared, you know, thinking that the truck might blow up, but he went in there and cut the seat belt off him," said Verdusco.
Another bystander had a fire extinguisher and put out the burning man. Then Verdusco helped pull him further away from the truck.
Lincoln police Chief Rex Marks says he is not only impressed with Corporal Morse, but all those who helped.
"He as most will tell you, they don't do it for the fame or the recognition. They do it because it's the right thing to do," said Marks.
The man is said to have suffered third-degree burns and is expected to survive.