The heroic rescue of a woman who was inside a burning van was captured on a patrol car's camera in the city of Fraser, Michigan last Saturday night.
In the video making the rounds online, police officer Cameron Riper – who had arrived first at the scene of the accident – is seen running without hesitation to the van, which is engulfed in flames, and opening the driver's door.
According to Fox 2, the woman in the driver's seat initially resisted the officer's attempt to pull her out as she was dazed and had her hands on the steering wheel.
“She looked confused, she wouldn't answer my questions. She was still in the vehicle, so I opened the door, took off her seat belt and tried to pull her out," the officer later said.
Ripper, whose bravery impressed many online commentators, had previously worked as a firefighter and his experience ultimately helped him save the driver.
“She was an old woman. We don't know if he had any medical problems or what exactly happened before the accident," said Ripper.
A Michigan police officer is being hailed as a hero for saving a woman's life after he pulled her from a burning vehicle. https://t.co/WWPwoxpgWV pic.twitter.com/itszVFaB7h
- ABC News (@ABC) December 20, 2023
Source: protothema.gr