Good Samaritan Pulls Child From Burning Truck After Fatal Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two people are dead after a crash in Anoka County Tuesday morning, according to Anoka County officials.
The Anoka County Dispatch says the crash occurred at 8:47 a.m. near Linwood Township.
Authorities say both drivers died in the crash at 20062 Viking Boulevard, which was closed following the crash.
A pickup truck and crossover SUV were badly damaged on the two-lane road, with the former bursting into flames following the crash. The pickup was being driven by a 73-year-old woman from Columbus, Minnesota, and the SUV was being driven by a 64-year-old man from Mound.
Authorities said they believe the driver of the pickup drifted over the center lane into the path of the oncoming SUV.
Officers report a Good Samaritan discovered a small child belted into the rear of the pickup truck. Thomas Rush, of Grandy, went into the burning truck to pull the child to safety.
"It was scary, very scary," Rush told WCCO by phone. "I heard her screaming, and you don't really have much to think about. The kid's alive, the vehicle's on fire -- what do you think about? Get her out."
He opened the passenger door and unbuckled the child from the jump seat. As he pulled her to safety, the truck was engulfed in flames.
Rush says as a parent himself, he would only hope anyone would do the same for his child.
"[I would] rather them go for my child instead of me," he said.
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the crash.