NEENAH, Wis. (WBAY/Gray News) – A Wisconsin man is being recognized for jumping into action to help save two people whose car caught fire after a crash.
Neenah police gave a shoutout to 30-year-old Tanner Ater for his efforts on a cold Monday night.
Police say the crash happened when a vehicle went off the road and down an embankment, hitting a fire hydrant and a tree on Gillingham Road.
Ater, who works as a tow truck driver, heard the crash and the people in the car screaming for help with smoke coming from the vehicle.
“I instantly shot over there and tried helping them as best I could with the coldness and everything,” Ater said.
He ran to the car with a fire extinguisher and sprayed the engine compartment before helping the passenger escape the vehicle.
A sheriff’s deputy arrived and the two then climbed on top of the car to pull the driver out before the engine fire reignited.
The driver and passenger were transported to an area hospital for treatment as fire crews were able to extinguish the vehicle fire.
The temperature in the area Monday night was below zero at the time of the rescue, first responders said.
“I was proud of myself, to be honest,” Ater said. “I’m proud that my parents raised me good enough to be able to not just drive past it and ignore it. I was able to be there and help them.”
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