Woman saves trucker from San Francisco freeway-crash flames

[Kadie]

Woman saves trucker from San Francisco freeway-crash flames
Will Kane, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 19, 2011


(10-19) 16:22 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Keenia Williams saw the big rig tip over and burst into flames in her rear-view mirror. All the other drivers speeding south on Highway 101 in San Francisco early Wednesday saw the same thing. Williams, though, was the only one to stop.

"I just see the (driver of the truck) and, oh my God, I hop out, run, see the guy just sitting there," Williams said. "He's like standing between the fire. He passes out. And now I am like, 'Oh my God, oh my God.' "

Between her and the rig were streams of diesel fuel that had spilled from the truck and now were in flames. The truck driver, 52-year-old Michael Finerty of Concord, collapsed just feet from his burning rig. Williams realized that if no one did something, Finerty was sure to die.

"I put my arms under his arms and I dragged him all the way to my car," said the 22-year-old San Francisco resident. "He wasn't talking or anything. He was just laying there."


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/19/BA3F1LJIPD.DTL#ixzz1bH3oWGbi




Keenia Williams (middle), 22 years old, who rescued Michael Finerty this morning from his burning truck on highway 101 in San Francisco, Calif., talks about her experience at a press conference on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.
Photo: Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle


One person has been taken to the hospital after a big rig truck crashed and burned on southbound Highway 101 in San Francisco near the I-80 split.
Photo: Cbs 5

[tblue]

1. An angel!!!

She's lovely. How wonderful for them both.

[Demoiselle]

2. Good kind lady.

May she be forever blessed for her brave deed.

[monmouth]

3. That is the epitome of a Good Samaritan...n/t

[avaistheone1]

4. She's a hero.

Very courageous lady.

k&r

:kick:

[silverweb]

5. Brave lady!

:applause:

[Booster]

6. Made me tear up. What a woman, what a wonderful human

being. It's a good feeling to be so proud of someone you don't even know.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. Hero!

:applause:

[Octafish]

8. She was the one who stopped.

Thank you for the heads-up, Kade. Ms. Williams is a most remarkable person.

[JI7]

9. she saved the guys like but she was amazed when he said he would never forget her

[surrealAmerican]

10. This is how heroism happens ...

... and we are all capable of heroism.


You don't stop and think, you see someone who needs help and you help them.

Keenia Williams is a hero.

[malaise]

11. Thank you Keenia Williams

You represent the human race- we are supposed to care for one another.
:yourock:

[riderinthestorm]

12. So beautiful inside and out. Wow! What bravery. She's the real deal, a hero. K&R! nt

[donheld]

13. Thanks for a good news story

[Starry Messenger]

14. k&r

[reggie the dog]

15. such a hero and at 22 years old

[Arugula Latte]

16. Brava!

Keenia ... :applause:

[Missy Vixen]

17. Every day offers a chance to help someone else

Ms. Williams took the challenge.

Her family must be so proud of her.

:woohoo:

[Scurrilous]

18. K & R

:thumbsup:

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

19. That's her mother in the ball cap behind her. Check Pic 22 for the smiles

Best "make you feel great" post I've read in a while. We humans can do good.

[a kennedy]

20. OMG......this is just fantastic.....

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[Javaman]

21. Now THAT is something else!

That took an enormous amount of guts.

Good on her. :)

[noiretextatique]

i live in oakland and have been following this story

ms. williams will be honored by the mayor of san francisco today. she is one brave, courageous woman.

[BeHereNow]

23. Facebook page fro Ms. Williams!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Keenia-Williams-fast-thinking-hero/227290207334947

Be sure to like and share!

BHN

[noiretextatique]

24. thanks...done eom

[noiretextatique]

22. dupe