Good Samaritan Saves Neighbor From Burning Home In Burlington County
MOUNT LAUREL Twp., N.J. (CBS) -- An alert New Jersey man is being called a hero after he sprang into action to save his neighbor from a burning home and a woman who caused an accident that sparked the fire.
"I"m glad I was home the other night", said Bob Taylor
"Thank you", replied David Duncombe, 83, who shook hands and thanked his neighbor, grateful Taylor saved his life after Duncombe lost nearly everything else.
"My house of 20 years is gone, my car is gone" said Duncombe, holding back emotions.
Duncombe, a resident of Fairfax Drive in Mt Laurel's age restricted Holiday Village, was home Saturday night when police say 79-year-old Patricia Cutler of nearby Hamilton Court sideswiped a car on Fairfax Drive before reversing her car into Duncombe's driveway, striking his house and gas line. An explosion and fire followed.
Cutler was in her burning car when Taylor, who witnessed the crash, rushed to her aide and pulled her out.
"She was in shock, she just stared at me", said Taylor who then pounded on Duncombe's door to get him out of his burning home.
"Bob Taylor grabs me, another guy grabs me... I see the car in the driveway in flames", says Duncombe.
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His home will have to be torn down and rebuilt, but he says he will return. Happy to live near a man who risked his life to save someone else's.
"I had to do what the right thing was and try to save someone's life", said Taylor.
Police have not filed charges against Cutler and think a medical condition may have caused her to crash. She is grateful to Taylor for helping her and admits she is still shaken from crash.
Reported by Robin Rieger, CBS 3
