Misawa Airman rescues woman in flipped vehicle

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  After witnessing a vehicle flip from an icy road into a ditch, a Misawa Air Base NCO leapt into action to render assistance recently in Japan.

Staff Sgt. Mark Moore from the 35th Operations Support Squadron was on his way to a Japanese mall one evening in January with his wife when they saw the car accident.

"I didn't think about it," he said. "I just pulled over and jumped out of the car."

It was snowing and windy out. Upon reaching the overturned car, Sergeant Moore found the Japanese woman driver hanging upside down in her vehicle, her legs still under the steering column.

"She was still in shock and didn't answer," Sergeant Moore said. "So, I lightly squeezed her leg and asked her in Japanese if it was painful and she said, 'No.'"

Fortunately, Sergeant Moore spoke enough Japanese so he could ask the woman questions. 

"I then told her I was going to unbuckle her seatbelt and catch her," he said. "I caught her and helped her out of the car. I then put her arm over my shoulder and helped her across the street and had her sit in my car."

Sergeant Moore said he had to use his self-aid and buddy care skills to make sure the driver was OK to be moved and to prevent her from possibly going into shock.

Sergeant Moore's wife had already called the police and an ambulance.

"The police were very surprised that we stopped and helped even though we weren't involved in the accident," he said.

The driver of the flipped vehicle was surprised and appreciative of Sergeant Moore and his wife's help as well.

"She kept thanking my wife and me," he said.

Sergeant Moore said anyone would have done the same thing in his situation.

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