Woman Pulled From Car After Fiery Crash in Prince George's County

Two hospitalized after three-vehicle crash

Two witnesses rescued a woman involved in a fiery crash in Prince George's County Thanksgiving morning.

The woman's car burst in to flames after the three-vehicle crash in Upper Marlboro, Md., about 8:45 a.m. Though she wasn't trapped, the woman could not get out of her car because of her injuries and possible shock, according to Prince George's County Fire and EMS spokesman Mark Brady.

Two passersby in separate vehicles saw the crash on Watkins Park Drive near Keverton Drive and saw that no one was getting out of the car with the flaming engine compartment, according to Fire and EMS. Johnnie Wichard, of Lotian, and Andre Matlock, of Upper Marlboro, sprung in to action. Both approached the vehicle and saw the woman inside. They pulled her from the car moments before the fire engulfed the interior, witnesses said.

"Thanksgiving Day takes on a different meaning for those involved in this morning's crash," Fire Chief Marc Bashoor said. "The quick actions of the Good Samaritans were impressive, and we thank them for their bravery and courage to rush to aid a stranger in a potential life or death situation."

Fire and EMS arrived shortly after the rescue and extinguished the fire. The interior of the car was gutted.

The woman and the driver of another car involved in the crash were taken to a trauma center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Had the men not pulled the woman from the car she would have suffered more serious -- possibly fatal -- injuries, firefighters said.

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