Webster Parish tow truck driver saves woman stuck in burning car; sheriff gives him special life-saving award

WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KSLA) - A tow truck driver in Webster Parish received a special award from the sheriff for saving a woman’s life.

On Monday, Nov. 14, Sheriff Jason Parker awarded Andrew Lincoln with a special life-saving award for his heroic actions involving a car crash victim on Oct. 9. On that day, Lincoln, who works for Harmons Towing and Recovery, was headed from Sibley to Haughton on Highway 164 on a towing call when he noticed a wrecked vehicle on the side of the road.

As he got closer to the wreck, he was flames coming from the car. He stopped his truck and yelled, “Is someone in the car?” Another man who had stopped told him there was someone inside, but that the door was jammed.

Lincoln sprang into action.

“The flames were already coming through the seat of the car, and it was melted the inside of the car was pretty much burning,” he said

He parked his truck in the middle of the highway, turned on his emergency flashers, and rushed to help the person trapped inside.

“I did not notice there were already some folks on the scene that I guess was behind her, and that’s when I realized they were trying to get in the driver’s door that was smashed in,” Lincoln said.

He was able to get the passenger door open and tried to pull the woman out, but she was still stuck. Meanwhile, the flames were getting bigger.

At this point, Lincoln says the smoke was so thick, he could barely see. He says he could also feel his pants beginning to melt because of the heat. Lincoln says he took off his shirt, wrapped it under her arms, and pulled her out of the car.

Within minutes after pulling her out, the car was completely engulfed in fire. Lincoln said he wasn’t the only hero at the scene.

“I’m glad that she is alive and from what I understand back at work. And if it happened today, I’d do the same thing all over again.”

Because of his heroic actions, the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office presented him with a life-saving award.

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