Fast-acting Samaritans in St. George free accident victim trapped beneath car, prevent further injury – St George News

by

ST. GEORGE — The driver of an electric scooter who had been struck by a car and pinned beneath it was freed by four eyewitnesses Wednesday afternoon.

St. George Police, St. George Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance all responded to the scene near the intersection of 1200 South and 1400 West in St. George shortly after 4 p.m.

St. George Police St. Tyrell Bangerter told St. George News that a 21-year-old female was riding a scooter on the sidewalk, going south on 1400 West.

At the same time, he said, a car driven by a 45-year-old female was exiting a parking lot to turn onto 1400 W.

“The driver did not see the scooter and ran right into her,” Bangerter said. “She ran her over and actually came to a stop with the vehicle on top of her and she was pinned beneath.”

The scene of a collision between a scooter and a passenger car on 1400 West, St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Bangerter said a group of four men who were on scene when the collision occurred were able to quickly band together and lift up the vehicle enough to pull her out.

“Very cool that people step into what could be a life and death situation like that to help out,” Bangerter said.

The scooter rider had road burns and scrapes on her arms, knees and legs, Bangerter said. He added that the rider was wearing a helmet that was completely destroyed in the collision and that she complained to emergency responders of back pain.

The driver of the passenger vehicle that struck the scooter was cited for failure to yield, Bangerter said.

“This is a good reminder to drivers that they can’t tear out of parking lots,” he said. “You have to yield right of way to pedestrians, scooters, any vehicles of any kind on the sidewalk.”

This report is based on statements by emergency responders and may not include the full scope of the findings.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master’s degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Leave a Comment