It was far from the typical Father’s Day for residents on Hingham Street in Rockland. Neighbors rescued a woman from a crash, just before her vehicle burst into flames.
Charles Smith and Michael Quinlan were at a home across the street, and quickly jumped into action. Smith says they heard a loud bang around 3 p.m. A silver SUV left the roadway near 600 Hingham Street and struck a tree.
“Once I ran to the car, she was totally stuck. The car smelled like smoke. I saw her right leg was a total mess,” said Smith. “I needed to get her out of the car, so I finagled her out of the car, picked her up, and brought her to the front yard. I figured 25 feet was far enough away in case there was an explosion. My daughter Hailey called 911.”
They said the woman in her 20’s was conscious and alert during the incident. Shortly after, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames. “It was 45 seconds after the crash, and the fire was burning into the trees,” said Quinlan.
The Fire Department was working multiple calls at the time, and companies responded from across town.
Fire Lieutenant Dave Cowing said the woman was transported to South Shore Hospital with serious, but non life-threatening injuries. The fire was quickly knocked down.
Quinlan says they were just doing what anyone would do in that situation.
“The experience was incredible,” said Quinlan. “We definitely got to make sure she got to go home and see dad today.”
The driver of the SUV was transported to South Shore Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
From left: Hailey Smith, Charles Smith, and Michael Quinlan. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
The crash on Hingham Street in Rockland. Courtesy photo.
Traffic was temporarily diverted away from Hingham Street. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
