BATAVIA
Two men rescue driver from burning pick up truck
Mike Smith was just ending his day working at the Dairy Farmers of America Plant.
Scott Binder was going out on a service call for Empire Tractor.
Both happened to be in the right place at the right time.
The two men crossed paths Monday afternoon about 1:26 p.m. on West Ag Park drive in the Town of Batavia.
Smith and Binder were both in the area of the curve when they spotted a pick up truck on fire off the road into the woods.
The female driver was trapped on the passenger side.
"We showed up and opened the door," says Smith.
We pulled her from the passenger side door and dragged her into the woods away from the flames."
"While he was on the phone, he had to help me drag her out because the flames were already around the dash," says Binder.
"She was conscious, but had no use of her legs."
The Town of Batavia Fire Department responded to the scene to put out the fully engulfed pick up truck which could be seen burning from a few miles away.
The female driver was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong. The extent of her injuries are unknown.
According to Fire Chief Paul Barrett, the vehicle left the road when it failed to negotiate the curve. It traveled into the woods and struck a tree and then burst into flames.
"There were flames under the dash board and another minute she may not have made it," says Barrett.
"She was very lucky somebody was close by"
The State Police are investigating the accident.
