Deputies save man from burning vehicle

Three sheriff’s deputies were recognized by a fire department for going above the call of duty.

Deputies Freddie Washington, Robert Kirby, Timothy Batchler, and Jeremy Brown responded to a head-on wreck at Hwy. 37 and Ashleigh Road on May 1. One of the vehicles had caught fire while the driver was trapped inside.

“The deputies had cases of water in their cars. They were running up and exposing themselves to flames by pouring bottles of water on the fire, which kept the fire from progressing,” said Long Branch Fire Chief Andy Hogg. “They worked hard to keep that man from burning up. As far as I’m concerned, they probably saved the man’s life.”

“Instinct set in and we did what we had to do until the fire department got there,” said Washington.

The deputies kept the fire knocked down until Chief Hogg and his wife Teresa arrived in the fire truck to fully extinguish the fire and extricate the driver. Their efforts prevented the victim from suffering serious burns, said Chief Hogg.

“They had 16-ounce water bottles everywhere when we got there,” said Hogg.

The deputies not only helped the trapped male driver of one vehicle, but also cared for a lady and children in the second vehicle.

The Long Branch Fire Department likes to recognize people outside of the department for heroic efforts. They presented Above and Beyond the Call of Duty awards to the deputies at the fire department’s Christmas party on Dec. 17.

“I’m grateful to the Long Branch Fire Department for recognizing them for their bravery and actions that helped save a guy’s life,” said Barnwell County Sheriff Steve Griffith.