Off-duty firefighters get help from bystanders pulling victims from fiery crash

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A pair of off-duty firefighters didn’t hesitate to jump in and help when they saw a fiery crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County.

The firefighters were coming back from class and one of them happened to have an extinguisher and some medical equipment in their personal car.

Off-duty firefighter paramedics Larissa Conroy and Daniel White didn’t hesitate when they came upon the scene where they found a Suburban, which was towing an enclosed trailer, jackknifed, with the Suburban on its driver side.

Another driver had hit the trailer from behind.

“The flames were coming from the engine compartment and the way the hood was dented, they were coming toward the patient,” said White. “There was no longer a windshield on the car so they were coming onto the cab of the vehicle and I came up with the extinguisher.”

Traffic cameras showed how it all unfolded as emergency crews followed.

Pinned under the vehicle, troopers said, was Richard Abrams, 46, and his 66-year-old mother, Marlene Abrams, who had no way out.

“I knew I was in a dangerous situation, especially breathing in that smoke,” said Conroy. “But my main focus was to get this person out or the flames or the smoke is going to get him.”

With the help of 10 to 15 people who also stopped, Conroy led the way as they rolled the vehicle upright so the victims could be pulled out.

Marlene Abrams died at the hospital. Richard Abrams survived, thanks to the quick rescue.

“It was really something great to see everyone come together,” said Conroy. “I believe with the help I had with bystanders and Dan, I believe it was a group effort that we all saved his life.”

The 54-year-old woman from Miami who hit the trailer is likely to be charged, investigators said.

Cox Media Group