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Bystanders rescue woman, 69, from burning car

by M. Dilworth • July 31, 2015

The woman's son (right) said he rushed to the scene when he heard the news.
The woman’s son (left) said he rushed to the scene when he heard the news.

LANCASTER – Bystanders rescued a 69-year-old woman who hit her head on the ground and was knocked unconscious as she tried to escape a burning vehicle in Lancaster Friday afternoon, witnesses at the scene said.

The vehicle fire was reported around 1:22 p.m. Friday, July 31, on the corner of 15th Street West and Avenue J, according to Inspector David Dantic of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Firefighters arrived on scene around 1:28 p.m. and the call was closed at 1:49 p.m., Dantic said, adding that no one was inside the burning vehicle when firefighters arrived.

Witnesses at the nearby Avenue J bus stop said two men helped the vehicle’s occupants to safety before firefighters arrived.

One of the men, Lancaster resident Anthony Carter, said he noticed smoke coming from the front of the Buick as it was stopped waiting to make a right turn from 15th Street West onto Avenue J. Two women were inside the vehicle, Carter said.

The woman is transported to the hospital. Family members said she is 69-year-old.
The woman was transported to the hospital. Family members said she is 69-year-old.

‘I said, ‘look that lady’s car is smoking,’ and then I turned to get up and the car caught flames,” Carter said. “Everybody was screaming, ‘Get out the car! Get out the car!’”

As he ran to the car, the woman in the passenger seat tumbled out of the car and hit her head on the ground, Carter said.

“She was laid out by the car, knocked out. So I grabbed one side of her and the homeboy grabbed the other, and we got her out the way from the car,” Carter said.

The vehicle fire was reported around 1:22 p.m. Friday, July 31, on the corner of 15th Street West and Avenue J, officials said.
The vehicle fire was reported around 1:22 p.m. Friday, July 31, on the corner of 15th Street West and Avenue J, officials said.

“After me and Anthony pulled her from the car, it went poof! It went up in flames from front to back,” said the other good Samaritan, Kenneth Chapman.

Carter said he then ran back to the burning car.

“I go back like a fool and get her purse out,” Carter said. “Then the car exploded.”

The woman’s son, who did not want to be named, said his 69-year-old mother was on her way to a doctor’s appointment at the time of the incident. The vehicle was being driven his sister, he said.

“They had just left home, hadn’t even been gone 15 minutes,” he said.

“She got cuts on her face now because she fell, hit her head,” the son said, adding that his mother was injured, but not burned. The woman was transported to the hospital, and the extent of her injuries was not immediately available.

Her son repeatedly thanked the good Samaritans at the scene.

“She was a person, she needed helped help, so I did what I had to do,” Chapman said.

–

Filed Under: Lancaster

18 comments for "Bystanders rescue woman, 69, from burning car"

  1. Johnny Trece says

    August 4, 2015 at 1:26 am

    Homeboys to the rescue!

  2. Mary says

    August 3, 2015 at 7:40 am

    I want to stop and write a note of thanks to the two who helped in this incident – what an incredible act by you guys. You should be so proud of yourself – because of you, this woman is alive. Men, you are good men, with great hearts. I don’t know you, nor will I ever cross paths with you, so I am shaking your hands here and giving you a pat on the back, and a hug. Continue righteousness in this life and life will be good to you.

  3. Jim says

    August 2, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Anthony and Kenneth. Thank you!

    You never no what people will do when faced with a traumatic situation. Unfortunately today many folks will grab their cell phones to video the situation instead of helping. You two took action. Hero’s in my mind…

  4. m says

    August 1, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    Anthony and Kenneth, you did a great thing. Thank you for saving that lady’s life. I hope you get an award for your bravery!!!

  5. Native says

    August 1, 2015 at 11:43 am

    Finally the LEAPS found something! Oh wait. Never mind. Sounds like a the fire department and citizens handled this. Police were on scene holding their Billy clubs but no skulls needed cracked so they were cool. Glad to see the human condition getting a positive light. The old saying that order is created through chaos may still have some bearing on this chaotic town. What is leaps good for?

    • Dumbarse says

      August 3, 2015 at 11:09 am

      Maybe they will find you.

  6. Sally says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    Heroes!!!!

  7. WayneSL says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Sad the car burned, but good to hear of humans helping others. What draws us together is greater than what pushes us apart.

  8. The team says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    Notice the lacsd was not there just the fire Dept! The article doesn’t mention it but I wonder if the laCsd set the fire as a distraction so they could do something illegal elsewhere.

    • Tony says

      July 31, 2015 at 6:00 pm

      Yeah,
      Maybe they shoot a laser from the satellite!
      Stop watching those movies body, it will get in your brain!

      • never ending says

        July 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm

        Tony I concur!!!! Step away from what ever your smoking. (Cover-up, smh)

    • never ending says

      July 31, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      Man are you blind theres an officer in the photo with the stretcher and bus stop. I don’t know whether to believe you didn’t see it or your one of those pessimistic idiots that think police are bad. If you think things are bad now, take away the law!!!! Duh

    • Irena says

      July 31, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      You should really check your facts before speaking. It is very obvious there is at least 1 patrol car there. I suggest you stop doing whatever drug(s) you are doing, it is rotting your brain.

    • Claire says

      August 2, 2015 at 4:37 pm

      the team…You must hang out with Tim Scott! Yes there is a patrol car in the picture. Also LACSD is the initialism of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Department.

  9. Tony says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:15 pm

    Good AV Samaritans.
    Great to hear that such a good people still exist in this valley, willing to risk their own lifes to save others.
    What a good way to end this week.
    Thank you both!

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