Video Shows Cops Pulling Trapped Driver From Burning Car On Garden State Parkway

CLARK, NJ — Three Clark Police Officers are being called heroes after rescuing a man trapped inside a burning vehicle on the Garden State Parkway on Monday night. (See bodycam video released to Patch below)

"Despite suffering injuries and smoke inhalation themselves, these officers put the life of another above their own - an act of true heroism," according to Clark Police.

On Monday at around 9:10 p.m., Sergeant Pedro Oliveria, Officer Teriq Ricks, and Officer Giovannina Prisco were among the first to arrive at a single-vehicle crash.

The officers found a car fully engulfed in flames with the driver trapped inside.

"Hey, can you hear me? Can you get out? Crawl out towards me," an officer can be heard on the video asking the driver.

The officers are coughing from the smoke before another Officer says he will try to bump out a window.

After multiple attempts to try and get the driver to crawl out, an officer ssays, "let me see if i can crawl in."

"Grab my hand. Grab my hand. Grab me," calls out an officer to the driver over and over again between coughing.

"I got you brother. I got you," says an officer as he is finally able to grab the driver's hand.

However, the driver is still stuck.

"All together now," says an officer as they all pull.

It took just under 4 minutes to free the driver.

"Without hesitation and with no regard for their own safety, the officers immediately sprang into action," said police. "Battling intense heat and heavy smoke, they broke a window and managed to pull the man from the vehicle moments before it was fully consumed by fire."

The victim, a 46-year-old man, was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel and taken to a local hospital.

"These officers demonstrated extraordinary bravery under life-threatening conditions," said Captain Miguel Acabou, Officer-in-Charge of the Clark Police Department. "There decisive actions and commitment to protecting the lives of others exemplify the very best of our profession. I'm extremely proud of my officers."

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