Michael Walowy, of Southampton, and George Hockins, of Warminster, didn’t expect to earn “hero” status during their drive to the former’s vacation home in Chenango County, New York.
But when a horrifying sight unfolded before their eyes, they knew they had no choice but to step in.
On July 24, while driving along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the Jenkins Township area of Luzerne County, they saw the Mazda CX-5 in front of them quickly swerve off the road, smash into a guardrail, travel up an embankment and strike a tree, all of which caused the car to burst into flames.
The Mazda was driven by 46-year-old John Bekas, of Lehighton, who suffered a medical episode that caused him to lose control.
Rather than simply dial 911 and continue to drive, Walowy and Hockins went above and beyond just making the emergency call. The friends pulled over and rescued Bekas from the burning car. Bekas was transported for non-life-threatening injuries to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
