Two New Canaan Police officers on Thursday morning put their own lives at risk to save a motorist who suffered severe burns after a crash, officials said.
At about 9 a.m., police were dispatched to Rosebrook Road on a report of a vehicle on fire, according to Chief Leon Krolikowski.
There, they found a vehicle off the road and fully engulfed in flames, Krolikowski said in a press release.
Two of the arriving officers, Sgt. Peter Condos and Officer Tom Patten, ran down the embankment to the fully engulfed vehicle and found the motorist nearby.
“Despite the risk of the vehicle exploding, these officers put themselves in harm’s way to save the severely burned motorist,” the chief said. “These officers put snow on the burning motorist and used their bare hands to put out the flames on the motorist’s body, and then urgently provided emergency medical care. One officer received minor injuries as a direct result of these lifesaving efforts.”
The severely burned motorist received advanced care from the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps and was transported to a hospital, Krolikowski said.
“The officers whom put themselves in harm’s way, and provided lifesaving care, will soon receive our Department’s Lifesaving Award,” the chief said. “Thanks to their bravery, training, professionalism and expert care they saved a life.”
He continued, “We are proud of how these officers embody our mission which is ‘to protect and serve the community with courage, professionalism and integrity.’ Special thanks to NCVAC for being such a critical partner as we work side-by-side to handle hundreds of medical calls and medical emergencies. Especially during the holiday season there is no greater reward than saving a life.”
Often we take our policemen and women for granted. They went above and beyond for this person without hesitation and New Canaan is very lucky to have them as part of their police force.
Events could have taken a turn for the worse, and thankfully these officers were there right on time to react quickly and heroically to save this person’s life.
What a great Christmas miracle!
Amazing. Bless you and thank you for your service. Heroes walk among us.
Truly brave men who will forever be our heroes. Stunning to think how they saved this person, risking their all. Thank you gentlemen and thank you to our Volunteer Ambulance Corp. God bless and keep you all safe.
What courage these officers had! To attend to the victim’s burning body by using their own bare hands is magnificent.
I thank the town for having such skilled police officers on our force.
Thank you for your service and bravery!