EAST KINGSTON – Chief Ed Warren reports that an off-duty East Kingston firefighter and an off-duty firefighter from another community pulled a woman from a burning car following a serious crash Saturday afternoon.
At 3:29 p.m., East Kingston first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious crash on East Road near the Apple Hill Golf Course. Upon arrival, East Kingston firefighters learned that off-duty East Kingston Firefighter Robert Bishop, who had been driving home at the time, had nearly been struck head-on by a Dodge Challenger.
After the near-miss, Bishop witnessed the Challenger strike a utility pole and burst into flames. Bishop immediately exited his vehicle and ran to assist the female driver of the Challenger. Bishop was assisted by Josh Abbott, an off-duty Chelmsford, Mass., Firefighter who was passing by. The two worked quickly to free the woman from inside the car, which was burning and filling with smoke.
They successfully removed her from the car shortly before it exploded and became fully engulfed.
The woman was subsequently transported via ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries. She was last reported to be in stable condition.
“The heroic actions by Firefighters Bishop and Abbott no doubt saved this person’s life,” Chief Warren said. “This incident showcases the commitment all firefighters and first responders make to come to the aid of those in need, no matter what, and I want to thank them both for their quick and selfless actions.”
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