Officer, motorists rescue driver from burning car on 405 freeway

LAPD Bomb Squad officer Don Thompson and other good Samaritans rescued a man on Christmas day from a burning car on the 405 Freeway in Sherman Oaks.

The 26-year veteran of the LAPD bomb squad was on his way to work in the LAX area on Christmas when he saw a burning car.

'He would have burned. There was no 'could've.' He would have died. It was just a matter of seconds. Another 10 or 15 seconds, there would have been too much fire for just about anyone to go in and deal with,' Thompson explained.

He reached into the car, popped the lock and pulled the 72-year-old driver out.

At the same time, an LA fire battalion chief was driving by and was able to make a direct call to the communication center.

Once at the hospital, the driver was suffering from light neck pain and first-degree burns.
Thompson suffered burns to his hands and forearm, but it was a small price to pay to save someone's life -- especially on Christmas.