Tulsa Truck Drivers Rescue Pregnant Woman From Burning Car

Chris Wright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Two Tulsa truck-drivers are receiving some belated recognition for saving two lives.  The truckers pulled a pregnant woman out of her burning car in mid-September.

Around noon on September 18, 2010, a five-car pileup caused some major congestion on U.S. Highway 169 near 41st Street in Tulsa. Three people were hospitalized in fair condition, and two others refused treatment at the scene.

9/18/2010 Related Story: EMSA Transports Three To Tulsa Hospital Following Highway 169 Wreck

But it could have been a much more dire situation if not for the actions of David Kachura and Brian Dobson.

"You stop. It's instinct," Kachura said. "You need to go help another human being and do the right thing."

"I'm not a hero I wouldn't think," said Dobson. "Just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

The two drivers for Alliance Transportation were returning from a job when they witnessed the accident.

They say a car that had been rear-ended suddenly burst into flames. A woman remained trapped inside.  They radioed one another, grabbed their fire extinguishers, and tried to put out the fire.

"The flames were way too big for us to extinguish," Kachura said. "They were burning our arms, the hair on our arms were being burned off. The car was halfway engulfed in flames."

Dobson and Kachura say the car was so damaged, the doors wouldn't open. They eventually pried the passenger's side open, and the woman escaped. It was then that she mentioned her pregnancy.

"To save an unborn child. That's a very good feeling," Kachura said. "A very very good feeling."

Alliance, which owns and operates a fleet of trucks, will honor the reluctant heroes next week during a special ceremony.

"These two men stand out as having gone above and beyond. We're very proud of them," said Bob Boyes, Alliance General Manager.

Both say despite the close call, they won't hesitate to help if they are ever in the right place at the right time again.

"A hearbeat. In a hearbeat," Kachura said.