Senior Transportation Engineer

Department of Transportation

9/17/1988

Special Act Award (Gold)

On September 17, 1988, James McWhirter was the first to arrive at the scene of an accident in which a vehicle had crashed broadside into a large oak tree. He observed grass burning under the wrecked vehicle and two occupants getting out the open door on the driver’s side. James approached the occupants and proceeded to administer aid, but found no obvious injuries demanding his immediate attention. He asked if anyone else was in the vehicle and learned that another passenger, a 17-year-old high school student was trapped inside the burning vehicle. By that time, the engine compartment was in flames and there was an ever-present threat of an explosion and fire entering the cab of the vehicle. Without regard to the imminent danger, James went closer to the vehicle, it was very dark, and felt around and found a third person in the rear seat on the passenger side, who was not moving and unconscious. James felt around some more and found the injured person’s pulse, so he knew he was alive. By this time others were beginning to arrive. James asked if anyone had a flashlight, but no one did. He then returned to the vehicle which was now burning in the front around the engine. The injured young man was regaining consciousness, moving and making unintelligible sounds, but he was unable to help himself. The passenger side of the car was extensively damaged, preventing access. James tried to pull the injured passenger from the burning vehicle through the driver’s side door, but his feet and legs were caught between the crumpled drive shaft area and the smashed-in side of the vehicle, and James could not move him. The vehicle continued to heat up, with fumes from the smoldering rubber and plastic rapidly filling the passenger space inside the car. It was apparent that further effort to remove the young man through the driver’s side was impossible. James and the driver were looking around for a rock, or anything, to break out the rear window, but found nothing. Onlookers were screaming that the trapped passenger had to get out before the burning car became completely engulfed. At this point, James climbed onto the trunk of the car and grabbed an over-hanging tree limb for stability, and kicked hard at the rear window several times, finally breaking out the glass. James and the passenger’s friend each grabbed the young man under his shoulders, one on each side, and began pulling and jerking—up and down, and sideways, in an effort to free him. The teenager abruptly came free, and they were able to lift him out, leaving behind his shoes. This final effort to free the victim came at the last possible moment, because the interior of the cab had now become completely engulfed by fire, and James knew another 30 to 40 seconds would have been fatal to the young man. James McWhirter performed an extraordinary act of heroism under great risk to his own personal safety and life in rescuing the trapped 17-year-old accident victim from the fiery crash. He is truly deserving of the Medal of Valor, which is the highest honor the State of California has within its power to grant its employees.