Taunton Crash Survivor Recounts Lifesaving Rescue: 'I Should've Been Dead'
TAUNTON (CBS) -- With cuts and bruises all over his legs and arms, 70-year-old Joseph Colazzo reads his bible and counts his blessings after surviving a car accident last Friday on Broadway Street in Taunton.
"I should've been dead, but I am alive thank God," Colazzo said.
Overcome with emotion Joseph says he was on his way home when another car accidentally smashed into him. Joseph had to be rescued with jaws of life.
"I'm just thankful," Colazzo said.
His rescue was caught on cell phone by a bystander.
"When it happened it sounded like a bomb," the man said.
The man says two Good Samaritans stood by Joseph's side until first responders arrived on scene.
"She started speaking to him an off duty nurse and fire fighter. It was angel in the picture. She monitored him and kept him calm," the man said.
Joseph who was in and out of consciousness barely remembers hearing her voice.
"Someone was there trying to help me and she kept saying we will get you out as soon as we can," Colazzo said.
Joseph was in the car for about 20 minutes before being rescued. The man says the off duty nurse and first responders deserve all the praise.
"Above and beyond if I was in that situation you can only pray to have that happen to you. They deserve the credit and the first responders," the man said. Joseph is a retired MBTA bus driver and has been in a few accidents in his life but nothing like the one he experienced here on Broadway Street.
Today he's thankful to be alive and to the people who came to his aid.
"I am very thankful," Colazzo said.
The accident remains under investigation. So far no charges have been filed.
