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Bystanders Help Save Minister From Burning SUV

AVIS — Some good Samaritans are being credited for saving the life of a crash victim in Clinton County. A Mercedes SUV caught fire late Thursday night aft...

AVIS -- Some good Samaritans are being credited for saving the life of a crash victim in Clinton County. A Mercedes SUV caught fire late Thursday night after it crashed in Avis, but the driver was rescued.

"I could see flames from here, I said there was nobody down there," said Jamie Frye.

Frye lives up the street from where the SUV crashed late last night.

He went outside after his daughter told him there was a crash near their home. Frye didn't know it at the time, but Dennis Callahan was trapped inside his SUV.

"I have no idea what happened. I was in church last night, had a meeting and everybody left and then I left," said Callahan.

Callahan is the minister at Pine Creek Valley Christian Church in Jersey Shore. Callahan has diabetes. He says he believes he blacked out at wheel when his blood sugar level dropped.

"And I don't remember anything,” said Callahan.

Tire marks lead down an embankment and lead to where the car hit bleachers and pushed them into a dugout. That is where the fire happened. Frye and his daughter were there just moments after.

"Just beat on the windows and asked if anybody was in here and I could just hear the guy just gasping," said Frye.

Callahan was unconscious so Frye had to unbuckle his seat belt and pull him out.

Frye says an off-duty officer from Pine Creek Township arrived in time to help pull Callahan farther away from the burning vehicle.

"At that time the vehicle then started making popping and exploding noises like it was ready to go," said Officer Brian Kitko from Pine Creek Township.

Frye's wife was watching from the porch the entire time.

"What a selfless act to save somebody," said Amy Frye.

"We just did it. I just hope somebody would do that for me," said Frye.

Callahan says he is blessed and thankful to be alive.

"Thank you. That is all I can say. I already called them and thanked them because they probably saved my life," said Frye.

Callahan says he does have insurance for his SUV and he is doing just fine. No burns, just a scratch on his face and broken glasses.

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