Florida Deputies Rescue Woman From Burning Car
VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBSNewYork)-- Two Florida deputies put their own lives at risk to help save a woman from a burning car.
Vero Beach Sheriff's Deputies Robert Sunkel and Linda Nolan tried relentlessly to make the rescue as the driver was trapped in the fire between her steering wheel, airbag and seat belt, CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported. But they kept getting burned.
"We got back and then both of us knew we had to get back in there and try and get this woman out. We couldn't leave her in there," Sunkel said.
Finally they braved the flames and went in.
"Ma'am give me your arm. Give me your arm ma'am... drag her, drag her, stay with me, stay with me," Sunkel is heard saying.
Due to the heroic actions of the deputies, 58-year-old Cheryle Coons survived that day. Both the officers were injured saving the woman's life.
"That we didn't get her out sooner and that we almost didn't at all... that is the most difficult," Nolan said.
Deputy Nolan has second-degree burns on her hand and forearm. She said she's struggling with being called a hero because she feels she could have done more.
Coons is in the intensive care unit and expected to survive.
