FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: AUSTIN TX POLICE PULL MAN FROM BURNING TRUCK BEFORE IT EXPLODES:

Austin police officers save man from burning vehicle before explosion.......Two Austin police officers are being recognized for their heroic acts on Monday. Officer Chandler Carrera and Officer Eduardo Pineda saved a man from a burning vehicle at an apartment complex in south Austin before it exploded and was engulfed in flames.

“As I was running up to the vehicle, one of the citizens started yelling out that he was still in the car. I tried to look inside the window, but there was too much smoke. I couldn’t see anything. I ran up to the driver side door. I tried opening it, but it was locked. So, at that point I just got my asp and broke the window down in order to be able to look inside. Once I broke the window down, I saw the individual inside and went from there,” said Officer Pineda.

While Officer Pineda worked on getting the man out of the vehicle, Officer Carrera went to grab a fire extinguisher.......“My original plan was to use the fire extinguisher as he pulled him out to try to avoid anyone from being hurt, but it came apparent that he was a pretty big guy and he may be stuck in the vehicle. So, I just dropped it and pulled him out from there,” Officer Carrera said.

Both officers pulled the man out of the truck moments before the truck exploded and was engulfed in flames.

“It was a collaborative effort. We got the guy out, but ATCEMS ultimately provided higher end medical care than we could, and the Austin Fire Department showed up to put the fire out so it couldn’t expand,” said Officer Pineda.

Two hours later, Officer Pineda and Officer Carrera responded to a shooting near the Onion Creek Greenbelt and saved another life by applying a tourniquet and chest to the wounded victim.

The two officers said they are thankful they were in the right place at the right time for both incidents.

“We’re really happy the way it turned out. It was a dangerous situation, but everyone made it out fine and that’s what matters,” Officer Pineda said.