Officer

California Highway Patrol

1/12/2004

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officer Russell D. Carver, on January 12, 2004, performed an act of heroism at risk to his personal safety while rescuing a victim from a burning vehicle. At 9:24 a.m., Mr. David Bush, age 51, of Freemont, Ca, was driving his 1992 Buick Century south on US-101, approaching the Ventura River Bridge north of the city of Ventura. Mr. Bush lost control of his vehicle at which time it left the roadway and careened down the embankment bordering the shoulder of the roadway. The front of the car impacted a large boulder and the car immediately overturned. The vehicle caught fire and the surrounding brush and bamboo from the river bottom also ignited. Officer Carver responded to the scene and arrived within one minute. Officer Carver climbed down to the burning vehicle and attempted to extinguish the fire. When it became apparent that the fire was out-of-control, Officer Carver broke out the driver’s side window with his baton. Mr. Bush, 6 foot 3 inched tall, weighting 300 pounds, was trapped inside and was hanging upside-down restrained by his seatbelt. He was unable to release the latch and told Officer Carver he could not free himself. The front of the vehicle was now fully engulfed and the flames were entering the passenger compartment. Officer Carver was able to cut the shoulder strap, as well as the lap belt and pull Mr. Bush free only seconds before the entire passenger compartment erupted in flames. Officer Carver pulled the injured driver to safety and rendered assistance until the arrival of emergency services personnel. Mr. Bush was transported to Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance and admitted for treatment and observation. Had Officer Carver been unwilling to place himself in jeopardy, Mr. Bush would have burned to death. Officer Carver’s selfless act clearly saved a life, at great risk to himself.