Mildenhall Airmen recognized for heroic efforts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacia Zachary
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England (AFPN) --  Two Airmen of the 321st Special Tactics Squadron here were lauded recently for their quick action and rescue efforts after a vehicle accident in September 2003.

Senior Airmen Ivan Ruiz and Jared Pietras, a pararescueman and combat controller, respectively, were involved in a tragic accident on a local off-base road which resulted in the deaths of four military family members.

“The situation the men faced was extraordinary,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Jeeves, a 321st STS team leader. “Instead of choking, both reacted with skills they were taught.”

Airman Ruiz was traveling with his girlfriend when an oncoming driver crossed lanes in an attempt to pass the vehicle she was behind.

The driver, a wife of a U.S. servicemember, apparently did not see Airman Ruiz’s car as she attempted to pass, and they collided head on. The car, the driver and her three children, tumbled into the water-filled ditch alongside the road. Airman Ruiz’s car spun out of control and smashed into an electrical pole. Both vehicles ignited in flames.

After checking to see if his girlfriend was OK, and getting her out of his car and to safety, Airman Ruiz rushed to the overturned vehicle.

Looking for the driver, he quickly scanned the scene and entered the freezing water where he began trying to find her. Other would-be rescuers stopped to help, and together they urgently began looking for anyone else involved in the accident.

Meanwhile, Airman Ruiz’s girlfriend called local authorities and also placed a call to one of Airman Ruiz’s friends, Airman Pietras, who rushed to the scene.

Before Airman Pietras arrived, the tragedy of the accident had already become apparent to Airman Ruiz and others as they began to find and remove the victims from the car. The Airman, although suffering a broken arm, began CPR on the first victim as the others were pulled from the vehicle.

Held up by the traffic surrounding the site, Airman Pietras abandoned his car and sprinted the last quarter mile to the scene and started CPR on the other victims.

With help from a nurse and others who stopped to help, the Airmen continued their life-saving efforts. They also directed others to set up a makeshift cordon to secure the area because a burning electrical pole was about to fall.

Although attempts to save the lives of the mother and children were unsuccessful, the Airmen did help prevent any further danger to the surrounding community and onlookers while police and emergency help was en route.

“It’s an honor and indeed a privilege to be here today to honor and recognize the heroism of these Airmen with this presentation,” said Alastair McWhirter of the local constabulary, who presented the Airmen with community service certificates. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service)