CHICAGO (WLS) — Exclusive cellphone footage obtained by ABC7 captured the frantic efforts to rescue a driver whose large truck had overturned, spilling gas on I-57.
The crash happened Saturday morning near the 111th exit on Chicago’s Far South Side.
ABC7 spoke to one of the good Samaritans who stepped in to help moments after the crash.
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The incident occurred on a blustery Saturday morning on I-57 near Morgan Park. Eyewitnesses described how a sudden event led to the truck overturning. Without hesitation, a group of bystanders sprang into action to assist the trapped driver.
In a race against time, these brave individuals worked together to rescue the truck driver. The video footage captured them carefully carrying the driver’s motionless body away from the wreckage following the rollover accident.
The truck was carrying flatbeds when it crashed right in front Cornelius Owens’ car while he was driving to work.
“It was real windy, this morning, so obviously that wind took the one that didn’t have anything holding it down and that’s when it flipped,” Owens said. “And, I literally jetted across the highway as if I was walking across the street. No car came. I appreciate that. I thank God for that. Got over there and I happened to see the male driver. He was hurting really bad.”
The driver was pulled out of the truck, and as he kept going in and out of consciousness.
“We were smelling the gas, and all of the leaks were coming out of that truck fast,” Owens said.
It was a split decision to help save a life of a stranger – an action that Owens said he would do again for anyone in need.
“I don’t call myself a hero, just an everyday guy, going to work, trying to make things happen, and I seen a Samaritan that needed some help, and I wanted to help,” Owens said. “That’s it.”
Owens said some of the good Samaritans remained on scene until first responders arrived.
ABC7 has reached out to Illinois State Police for more information about the crash, including the condition of the driver, but have not heard back.
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