A Linn Valley, Kan., man is alive and recovering from smoke inhalation because of the efforts of Police Chief Corey Murrison.
Murrison was the first responder to arrive near a campsite at Elm and Songbird. He saw an early 90s Buick completely engulfed in flames with its owner lying motionless just a few feet away.
Murrison ran to the man and dragged him away from the blaze.
“It appeared he’d suffered quite a bit of smoke inhalation by looking at his mouth and nose area,” said Murrison.
Murrision and Linn Valley Fire Chief Dennis Downey both told us ammunition inside the car was exploding as paramedics worked on the driver.
“You have to concern yourself with what’s in the vehicle and secondary explosions from things like the fuel tanks, and he had other propane bottles in the trunk,” said Murrison.
Downey says without the police chief’s intervention, the man may not have survived.
“I believe the victim probably would have succumbed to the flame. It was a hot fire,” said Downey.
Paramedics initially called for the man to be flown to a hospital, but due to weather conditions, the helicopter could not fly. He was taken by ambulance to KU Hospital, where he is recovering from smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be caused by the driver who was attempting to commit suicide.
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Brian Abel can be reached at brian.abel@kshb.com.
