CANTON — A Canton police officer and a good Samaritan helped save the life of a 52-year-old man after his car crashed into a house, ignited and set the home on fire.
The crash happened Wednesday around 2:18 p.m. in the 1600 block of 7th Street NW, according to a Canton police report.
The report states that the man was heading west on 7th Street near Elgin Avenue when his vehicle traveled off the road, struck a house and burst into flames.
An officer, who was doing traffic enforcement nearby, heard the boom and a citizen also notified him of the crash.
When the officer arrived, he found the man's 2001 Chrysler Sebring partially inside the house. Flames were shooting of the the front of the car and were consuming the side of the house.
The officer grabbed a fire extinguisher from his cruiser and tried to put out the flames, but they were spreading too fast, the Canton Repository reported.
The officer then went to the passenger door and, but upon finding the seat empty, went over to the driver's side door and found the unconscious man in the seat. While the officer was attempting to pull the man out of the car, a passerby stopped to lend a hand. Together, they were able to drag the man from the car, according Lt. Dennis Garren.
The officer administered first aid and called for backup. Two additional officers arrived and checked the house, but the residents were not home at the time.
Firefighters responded and were able to knock down the flames before the house became fully-involved
The driver was transported to Aultman Hospita where he is listed in satisfactory condition.
His daughter, Chelsea Mayle, is extremely grateful for the people who rescued her dad.
"That was so selfless and I can't imagine what they were thinking," Mayle said. "They were life savers."
The good Samaritan's identity was not initially known to police because the man left without giving his name. However, on Thursday, he contacted the police department and said he wanted to remain anonymous.
The officer who pulled the driver out of the car also did not want his name released.
"He's very humble and he doesn't want any notoriety for this. For him, it's just another day at the office," Garren said.
