Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    QASs pull victims from burning car

    QASs pull victims from burning car

    Courtesy Photo | Mike Agostini and Maurice Tucker, Defense Contract Management Agency Palmdale quality...... read more read more

    PALMDALE, CA, UNITED STATES

    04.08.2014

    Story by Matthew Montgomery 

    Defense Contract Management Agency

    PALMDALE, Calif. - Two quality assurance specialists saved lives Jan. 24 when a vehicle in front of them hit a curb, flipped over in the air and cascaded to a stop a short distance from their government vehicle. The two reacted quickly to help remove the driver and passenger as flames threatened to consume the car.

    The accident took place at approximately 2:45 p.m., less than two miles from the contract management office here. Mike Agostini and Maurice Tucker were on their way back from an item inspection at a local contractor facility when a compact car sped past them, cut off another car and went airborne.

    “Maurice was driving and immediately went to the overturned car to help,” said Agostini. “When we got to the accident, there was fire and smoke coming from underneath the hood, airbags had deployed and we could hardly see anything.”

    Tucker remembered thinking, “this is crazy; the car is on fire and could blow up.” He also knew he could not just stand there and do nothing. “If something would have happened, I never would have forgiven myself for not trying.”

    The first movement they noticed was the driver attempting to climb out the window. “He was disoriented and having trouble with his seatbelt, but otherwise uninjured,” said Agostini. “We helped him out and then asked if anyone else was in the car. The driver said ‘yes, in the passenger seat’ and we ran around the car to get the other person out.”

    The passenger’s door was jammed, so Agostini called 911 while Tucker worked on the door. The driver ran to a nearby building and found a fire extinguisher.

    “Because of the way the car had flipped, it had crushed the passenger door and I had to pry it open in order to get the person out,” said Tucker.

    Tucker was able to get the door open and remove the passenger. The driver appeared moments later and took care of the fire before it spread and engulfed the car. Within 10 minutes, rescue personnel were on the scene and the victims were treated.

    “I’m just glad we were there and able to help,” said Agostini. “Maurice reacted quickly and didn’t hesitate to stop and help when he saw the accident take place. I’m grateful everyone was okay; it could have been a lot worse.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.08.2014
    Date Posted: 04.08.2014 14:25
    Story ID: 124939
    Location: PALMDALE, CA, US

    Web Views: 70
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN