Burning Car Rescue: Just in a Nick of Time

Timing and courage intersect with lifesaving results.

Nick Edwards looks at the place where the burning Honda came to rest early Saturday morning, while being interviewed by a news crew from Portland's FOX 12. Photo/Video: Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - Sometimes life prevails even among the poorest odds; in the worst case scenario. It happened Saturday at 2:42 a.m. when Nick Edwards of Salem, rounded a corner on a rural highway and spotted a fire.

The burned Honda on Monday

A burning car off of Joseph Street SE at first was hard for him to gauge, "I thought maybe a mailbox was on fire, I couldn't see what it was."

The next few minutes would be life changing.

21 year old Destiny Edwards of Mill City, was completely trapped inside of her burning car, laying on its side off the roadway. Flames three to four feet tall and sizzling sounds made being close to the car a risky idea, but when Destiny Edwards spotted Nick Edwards, she began screaming for him to help her.

They aren't related, they share the last name by chance, just as chance delivered this young man in a nick of time, to fight his way into a crumpled and burning car, and save a woman from a very painful death.

His friend Danny Wise says he isn't surprised that Nick performed the heroic rescue. "I'm glad it was him who came across that, and not somebody who would have been unable to help."

He says the message sent home is clear, "If you have the opportunity to help, help. You never know how it might change a person's life."

Expelling effort for several minutes, Nick was successful, and after kicking and then ripping out a stubborn windshield, Destiny Edwards was dragged to safety.

Nick Edwards is a hero, and not in a small way.