Portland Fire and Rescue

Two Portlanders risk their lives to save an accident victim.

Portland Fire and Rescue

February 07, 2022 11:35

Last night, Portland Fire & Rescue (PR&R) responded to a rollover accident at 10:00 pm around 3400 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. American Medical Response (AMR) arrived first on the scene and treated a female victim about 30 feet from the damaged car. When PF&R’s Truck 4 arrived, they assisted with moving the victim further from the car, which had caught fire and started to burn through the power lines above. PF&R's Water Tender 16 arrived and worked to extinguish the fire, which had burned through the power lines and started arcing on the ground near the car.

Fire crews, along with AMR, were then able to assess the victim away from the dangers of the burning car, due to the bravery of two Portland citizens – Eli Bowden and Michael Hartung. Before Crews could arrive, these two young men were parked near the accident, waiting for rescue crews when the car caught fire. Without concern for their own lives, they pulled the one victim from the car and took her to a safer place away from the car so she could be treated. The victim was critically injured during the accident and was unconscious when Eli and Michael pulled her out of the burning car. Because of their courageous acts, she has a fighting chance to survive.

The accident victim was quickly assessed by AMR and was entered into the Trauma System. The condition of the victim is unknown at this time.

PF&R would like to thank both Eli and Michael for their bravery!

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