Philadelphia officer in burning cruiser recounts heroism of teen rescuer

PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia police officer says a teenager who helped pull him from a burning squad car is his hero.

Officer Mark Kimsey recounted his harrowing experience after being released from the hospital Monday.

Kimsey says he'd still be sitting in the car if 17-year-old Joe Chambers hadn't intervened after his cruiser collided with a pickup truck Saturday.

The 30-year-old officer told WTXF-TV he was groggy after the crash and unable to put weight on his leg.

Kimsey says he stayed in the car momentarily to radio in his location before Chambers, a volunteer firefighter, and neighborhood resident Dante Johnson pulled him out through the window and moved him away from the burning vehicle.

"They were heroes, they saved my life," Kimsey told CBS Philadelphia.

Chambers says he would do the same thing "any day of the week."

Kimsey, who is in his second year on the force, says he plans to take his two rescuers out for a steak dinner once he fully recovers from the leg injury and a concussion.

Meanwhile, Kimsey's commanding officer says while the media often do stories on police officers saving lives, it is refreshing and inspiring to see two total strangers, with only a moment's notice, take immediate action to save an officer's life.