U.S. Army Sgt. Mary Ehiarinmwian (right).Photo: 21st Theater Sustainment Command
A brave and quick-thinking Army sergeant who immigrated to the United States in 2016 was honored Tuesday for rescuing a driver after his car flipped over.
According to theArmy News Service, Ehiarinmwian, a supply sergeant, was driving to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to conduct Physical Readiness Training when the driver in front of her lost control of his car. The car flipped over and rolled several times before coming to rest, upside-down, on a steel property gate.
The driver — who, unbeknownst to Ehiarinmwian, was a soldier from her unit — was almost impaled on the gate. His car became filled with smoke, potentially ready to burst into flames at any moment.
Ehiarinmwian didn’t hesitate. She pulled over, extracted the driver from his car and then pulled him to safety, according to aUSO media release. The driver tried to stand up, but Ehiarinmwian knew that people in a state of shock are often unaware of their injuries, so she told him to stay down.
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During this time, someone called 911. Emergency responders arrived and tended to the soldier, who fortunately had only minor injuries.
In emergency situations, “every second counts,” she told the Army News Service. “Every little hesitation could have led to a worse result.”
She added, “It’s just human nature to help other people.”
While emergency responders made sure the soldier was okay, Ehiarinmwian went to physical training.
“Granted, I was in shock and shaky, but I knew someone was in worse shape than I was,” she told the News Service.
Now, she’s inspiring others with her professionalism and heroism.
Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston praised Ehiarinmwian, telling the news service, “This is exactly the type of leader the Army builds — someone that is decisive and quick to take the appropriate action.”
source: people.com
