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Good Samaritans Smother Trucker's Flames Queens man suffers burns over 40 percent of his body

Updated 4:04 PM EDT, Fri, Nov 21, 2008

Nursing student Angelica Mercado helped save a trucker who caught fire after overturning his tanker on the New Jersey Turnpike.

 

Nursing Student Helps Rescue Driver From Truck Fire

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Two good Samaritans smothered the flames as a trucker burned after his tanker flipped over and caught fire on a New Jersey Turnpike ramp.

State police said two good Samaritans smothered the flames as a trucker burned after his tanker flipped over and caught fire on a New Jersey Turnpike ramp in Secaucus.

The Samaritans were following the truck in two separate vehicles.

Angelica Mercado was on her way to work at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck when she saw the tanker crash. Mercado used her jacket to help put out the flames on the driver Rajinder Singh's torso while another woman put out the flames on his shoes.

Mercado said she bundled up Singh and drove him to University Hospital in Newark as fast as possible. Police stopped her, but then waved her on after seeing how badly burned the truck driver was, according to Mercado. The nursing student says Singh gave her phone numbers of releatives to call.

The 33-year-old Queens, N.Y., resident is in critical but stable condition with second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.

State police said the truck was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline.

The crash snarled rush-hour traffic on the northbound turnpike.

Copyright Associated Press

Comments (10)

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  • Arelys Pichardo Monday, Dec 15 at 7:48 PM FLAG COMMENT WOW ANGELICA I"m so proud of you! YOu are angel and also one of my good friends lucky to have u as a friend girly!! Muahzzzzzzzzz Godbless xoxox
  • George Saturday, Nov 22 at 12:09 PM FLAG COMMENT more people should be like Angelica!, you never know when its gonna be you that needs the help, great job
  • jungeun Friday, Nov 21 at 11:47 PM FLAG COMMENT Angelica! I'm so proud of you!!! You are going to be a great nurse~
  • Daisy Friday, Nov 21 at 7:05 PM FLAG COMMENT Angie has always had a huge heart. It was not surprising that she would risk her life to help someone else. We love you!
  • your titi Friday, Nov 21 at 6:51 PM FLAG COMMENT I'm so very proud of you you are an amazing young lady ! you saved someone's life! call me when you get a chance .... the family's angel!!! Linda!!!!

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