Mishap sends logs slamming into van before harrowing rescue in SC, officials say
A mishap sent logs slamming into a van, causing it to burst into flames with five people inside, South Carolina officials said.
The harrowing moments unfolded after a trailer broke loose from a truck. That pushed the logs it was carrying into the van on Monday, April 11, Williamsburg County officials wrote in a Facebook post.
After the crash, the truck driver was among those who raced to rescue the people from the burning van. Thanks to the bystanders’ efforts, everyone on board — including two children — made it out safely, the government said.
But that wasn’t the extent of the county’s praise.
“When Fire and EMS arrived, the logs (were) blocking the road, so more bystanders rushed to move the logs so that they could get through,” officials wrote.
Williamsburg County said firefighters eventually were able to extinguish the flames. Photos from the aftermath show a smoking van and logs stretching down a lane of traffic, with more on the shoulder.
Officials said the crash happened south of the Mingo Exxon gas station, roughly 50 miles southwest of Myrtle Beach.
“Fire Chief Randy Swinton wants to thank those who helped the family stranded in the van, and for helping move logs so they could put the fire and clear the situation,” the county wrote in its Facebook post.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 9:25 AM with the headline "Mishap sends logs slamming into van before harrowing rescue in SC, officials say."
