BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Union County Sheriff Brad Whitehead recognized two of his deputies for their lifesaving efforts in pulling an injured man from a burning vehicle as ammunition was exploding in the car nearby.
Deputy Scott R. Word wrote in an incident report that after being dispatched to a vehicle crash in the Raiford area, just after 10 p.m. on July 22, 2024, he found no sign of the reported incident.
“So, I BOLO the area until I noticed a fire in the distance,” the deputy reported, “about 50 Yards into a heavily wooded area. At this point, I parked my patrol car on the side of the road and exited my vehicle.”
Word added that as he tried to approach the vehicle, he heard screams for help from the area.
“I then looked for a way into the thick brush, and I finally found the entry where the vehicle had exited the roadway and entered the woods,” the officer wrote. “While climbing over branches and vines, I could see the vehicle completely engulfed in flames.”
Word wrote that he called out to the person yelling for help, and while he was looking for the victim, Christopher Ledford of Union County Rescue 6 arrived along with Deputy Eli Rogers.
“As we all got closer to the vehicle, we could hear and see the evidence of projectiles flying from the fire. During this time, the screams for help were getting louder, but still no sign of the victims.”
Word reported that he found the victim around seven feet from the vehicle, under a pile of brush.
“The victim was a Hispanic male age 20-30 with cuts and bruises, and by observation, both legs were broken. Worried the car was going to explode due to the immense heat. I, D/S Rogers and EMT Ledford lifted the victim to carry him to a safe location away from the fire.”
Word said the victim did not speak English but could communicate that no other people were in the vehicle.
Word added that rescue worker Bobby Wells brought a backboard to the scene, and the first responders carried the injured man to the ambulance. The victim was then transported to the Raiford Community Center, where a helicopter flew him to the nearest trauma center.
Whitehead praised his two deputies’ persistence and speed.
“Due to their quick thinking and actions,” the sheriff said, “these two worked to save this man’s life.”
