5 Firefighters Save Driver from Submerged Upside-Down Truck

Five firefighters are being honored as heroes after pulling an unconscious man from a truck submerged upside-down in a creek and bringing him back to life through relentless resuscitation efforts.

On August 3rd, a pickup truck mysteriously crossed the median on Interstate 77 near Canton, Ohio, went across the southbound lanes, and landed upside-down in the West Branch of the Nimishillen Creek. The driver, found unconscious and not breathing, wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

Three Bolivar firefighter-paramedics happened to be driving past after dropping off a patient at a nearby hospital. Motorists who witnessed the crash flagged down their ambulance around 6:30 p.m.

Ashley Curtner and Sarah Valentine, both trained in water rescues, quickly assessed that the stagnant creek was safe to enter. They scaled a fence and dove in as Canton firefighters Kyle Gallagher and Andrew Januzzi arrived moments later.

The team worked together to pry open the passenger door of the submerged vehicle while fighting against the water rushing in through open windows. Gallagher pulled the man from the truck and brought him to shore where the real fight for his life began.

The firefighters immediately started chest compressions on the creek bank. Januzzi deployed a Lucas device, which performs automatic chest compressions, while the team worked to stabilize the man.

Captain Cris Burkhardt drove the ambulance to Aultman Hospital so Gallagher and Januzzi could continue resuscitation efforts in the back without interruption. Bolivar Lieutenant Kent Thompson stayed on shore coordinating the rescue and searching for other possible victims.

Why This Inspires

The rescue succeeded because of seamless cooperation between two fire departments who had never worked together before. Bolivar Fire Chief Shawn Lynch praised his team for helping outside their own community with no obligation beyond their commitment to saving lives.

The man regained his pulse and started breathing again at Aultman Hospital. He was later transferred to a Columbus-area medical facility, and while his current condition remains unknown, he's alive because five strangers refused to give up on him.

At an August 12th ceremony, Canton Mayor William V. Sherer II presented proclamations to all five firefighters. "Your skill and composure and steadfast commitment, preserving life, reflect great credit upon yourself," he told them.

Curtner summed up the rescue simply: "I think it's amazing that we were at the right place at the right time. I'm very proud of the team that I had that day."

Sometimes being a hero means showing up, doing your job, and refusing to quit when someone's life hangs in the balance.