Heart-stopping video shows a Texas sheriff’s deputy dangling over an overpass after a semi-truck crashed into his police cruiser — with good Samaritans pouncing to pull him back to safety.
The horrific crash left Lubbock County deputy Andrew Cavasos pinned to a concrete barrier by the totaled squad car — with his trapped legs the only thing keeping him from falling as the rest of his body dangled above the road, the dramatic footage obtained by KCPD shows.
Quick-thinking good Samaritans raced over from a nearby gas station, tying a rope around the deputy and holding him up by his arms.
Others also rushed over with ladders from below the bridge, with one man climbing up to hold the deputy up from below.
“We got a ladder and just helped out as best as we can,” one of the helpers, Kohl Stephenson, told Fox 4 News.
Responders were eventually able to move the struck police vehicle and yank the injured cop to safety. He has since been discharged from a hospital.
“I appreciate everyone that helped, it could have gone a lot different without you there,” the rescued deputy said.
Cavasos, 49, and fellow deputy Jorge Martinez, 36, were both pinned when the truck driver slammed into a squad car as they pulled over to help a motorist change a tire, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported. No charges have been filed.
Both deputies and a civilian were hospitalized, but have all since been discharged
“God is great,” said the deputies’ boss, Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe. “He certainly was watching out for two young men yesterday. Absolutely no doubt in my mind.
“To each and every one of them that found a ladder, held the guy up moved debris to help get vehicles drug out of the way so we can get these guys the help they needed with EMS and Fire, again, like I said, I can’t say enough in terms of thank you’s to each and every one of them,” he later said.
“Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to tell some of them personally. Truly.”
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