Two rescued from burning vehicle in Lake Wylie (+ video)

Two York County residents’ concern and quick thinking may have saved two lives.

Austin Highfill, 20, of Lake Wylie and friend Jack Carruthers, 21, of Clover were heading to Highfill’s home on Lake Wylie Road around 3 p.m. Sept. 1.

“We saw a van swerving and going off the road,” Highfill said. So the two decided to follow it.

“We thought it was a drunk driver and wanted to make sure he got home,” Carruthers said.

They followed as the vehicle hit a ditch at the end of a driveway and went airborne, and took out about five mailboxes before traveling into a field and hitting a tree at about 55 mph, they said.

“It was in smoke as Jack was calling 911,” Highfill said of the vehicle.

The two jumped in to help, prying the van doors open. Highfill helped a female passenger out, while Carruthers helped release a male driver from his seatbelt.

“When I got the woman out, the flames started,” Highfill said.

Carruthers said the driver is diabetic.

“The man didn’t comprehend what was going on,” Carruthers said. “He was able to walk away.”

It’s a day neither Highfill nor Carruthers will forget.

“We just did what anybody else would do making sure everyone was OK,” Highfill said. “It was one heck of a day we didn’t expect.”

The man and woman suffered injuries and were transported to a hospital. A family member posted on The Herald’s Facebook page Wednesday thanking the good samaritans.

“On behalf of the family that was pulled from the vehicle, we sincerely appreciate the brave acts of those who aided in helping our loved ones. Thank you is not enough.”

Another post thanked the “young gentlemen that got my husband and mother out before it caught fire.”

“The Lord was definitely with them. Also thanks to all that helped get they the help they needed.”

She said both are “doing good.” Her mother remains in intensive care.

Bethel Volunteer Fire Department responded, along with River Hills/Lake Wylie EMS and Piedmont Medical Center EMS. South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Gary Miller said a report will be available Friday afternoon.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Two rescued from burning vehicle in Lake Wylie (+ video)."