(Rock Rapids)– An off duty police officer is being credited with saving the lives of four people in a fiery crash in northwest Iowa on Thursday. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says Lance Haugen of Glendive, Montana was driving a 2012 Ford Raptor northbound on Beech Avenue when he pulled into the path of a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Marvin Winkle of George. Both vehicles went into the ditch. The Ford rolled, coming to rest on its passenger side. The Chevrolet came to rest in a farm drive and caught fire.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is crediting the quick action of off duty Lennox, South Dakota police officer Ismael Small. They say Small came upon the scene shortly after the collision occurred and pulled four people out of the burning vehicle and one from the overturned vehicle. Small remained on the scene rendering care to the injured parties until first responders and ambulance crews arrived. They say his actions saved the lives of those involved in the crash.
Authorities say there were 6 occupants in the two vehicles. They say one was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital while the other five were transported by ambulance to Sioux Falls hospitals.
