California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

7/1/2007

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 1, 2007, California Highway Patrol Officer Scott W. Woodring and Officer Adam Yates arrived at the scene of a major injury collision involving a car that ran off US-101, struck a tree, and became entangled in the freeway perimeter fencing. The car was on fire, and the fire was rapidly approaching the passenger compartment. The driver was critically injured and pinned in the wreckage. Officer Yates began using his fire extinguisher on the intensifying fire as it entered the passenger compartment, while Officer Woodring quickly began cutting the driver's seat belt straps. Officer Yates then handed the fire extinguisher to Officer Woodring to continue spraying the fire while he attempted to pull the driver from the vehicle. When Officer Yates realized the driver's legs were entangled in the dash assembly of the vehicle, he enlisted the assistance of a witness to the accident. Working together, the three men were able to pull the trapped man from the wreckage in the nick of time just as the passenger compartment became fully engulfed in flames. As a result of their heroic rescue efforts both Officer Woodring and Officer Yates received injuries from the fire and smoke. The actions of Officers Woodring and Yates, without regard for their own safety, prevented further injuries or death to the trapped driver.