Off-duty firefighter David Iarussi and his wife encountered a crash on I-495 in Plainville on May 17 and, along with at least two other off-duty firefighters and several bystanders, helped free two people from a burning electric vehicle. Rescuers used rocks and physical force to break windows and remove the occupants, who were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries; one person suffered life-threatening trauma. Local officials praised the rescuers; investigators have not yet released details about the cause of the crash.
Off-Duty Firefighters and Good Samaritans Pull Two From Burning EV on I-495 in Plainville
Off-duty firefighters and good Samaritans helped rescue two people from a burning car on I-495 in Massachusetts on May 17Credit: Ashland Fire Department
At about 1:30 p.m. on May 17, multiple off-duty firefighters and passing motorists rushed to the aid of two people trapped in a burning electric vehicle following a crash on the northbound side of Interstate 495 in Plainville, Massachusetts.
David Iarussi, a firefighter with the Ashland Fire Department, and his wife, Sandra, were returning from a wedding in Rhode Island when they encountered the wreck, according to a Massachusetts State Police statement obtained by PEOPLE and local news reports. The couple stopped and — joined by at least two other off-duty firefighters, an off-duty nurse and several Good Samaritans — began attempting to reach the occupants.
Video shared by local outlets shows Iarussi using a rock to shatter the windshield while others tried to force entry by kicking or punching the sunroof and using rocks to break additional windows. Working together, the group extracted both occupants from the smoking vehicle before emergency crews arrived.
Victims Transported With Serious Injuries
Both people were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries, and one victim was reported to have sustained life-threatening trauma, WJAR reported. Emergency responders and state police continued to investigate the crash; authorities have not released details about what caused the wreck.
Community Response and Official Praise
The Ashland Fire Department posted photos of the rescue on social media and commended the rescuers. In a brief Facebook post the department wrote, "Great job," highlighting the quick action of its member and other helpers at the scene. The AFD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional comment.
Sources: Massachusetts State Police statement, WFXT, WBZ-TV, WJAR, PEOPLE.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash and have not released a cause. No other official updates were available at the time of reporting.
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