DIY Photography

Hacking Photography - one Picture at a time

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Photojournalist rescues driver from burning SUV caught on camera

Jan 4, 2017 by John Aldred Leave a Comment

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Photojournalists are used to seeing some pretty intense scenes in the course of their work. It’s not often that they choose to become part of them, though. Cameraman and owner of RMG News, Austin Raishbrook made that choice when he put down his camera to rescue a trapped and unconscious driver from a burning vehicle.

CBS reports that Raishbrook was filming n SUV that had stalled on the outside lane of a northbound California freeway. The SUV’s lights had failed after two vehicles made glancing blows as they went past, but then a third slammed into it. This caused it spin and burst into flames. Raishbrook immediately “switched over from cameraman to rescuer”.

Knowing there was little time to help before the driver would’ve died from smoke inhalation,, Raishbrook immediately dropped his camera and ran across the freeway. He smashed a window and fought through thick smoke to do what he felt he had to.

He didn’t have a chance. It’s one of the most dangerous things that can happen to you, is get stalled on the freeway at night.

The crash I got on tape was very dramatic but at that point in my mind, my mind switched to – I go to go help

– Austin Raishbrook

He managed to remove driver’s seatbelt from his shoulder, then grab his waist, and drag him out through the window. Another video caught the unconscious driver being pulled to safety, and away from the burning car.

CBS reports that the driver was transported in critical condition to a local hospital by LAFD. He is talking and expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.

Just documenting events like this can be hard enough. To put your own life at risk and intervene to save somebody else’s is a very difficult decision that few of us will ever have to make. Austin Raishbrook is being hailed as a hero today, and I don’t disagree. Well done!

I’d like to think I would’ve responded the same way, but unless and until it happens, I don’t think anybody ever really knows for sure. But what would you have done? Have you been in a similar situation? What did you do? Let us know in the comments.

[via CBS]

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailA Shotgun Camera Tripod – Mounting A Camera Next To The Driver’s Seat “What A Catch!” Man Rescues Falling Drone Seconds Before It Crashes Into The Ocean SmugMug rescues nearly 200 million photographs from closed cloud service Picturelife Thai fisherman rescues elderly nature photographers stuck in the mud

Filed Under: news Tagged With: Austin Raishbrook, Crash, Rescue

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« Why 365 project may not be good for you
This free plugin shows the active focus point for your photographs in Lightroom »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup
DIYPhotography

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Recent Posts

  • Watch: How good (or bad) is an $8.50 tripod?
  • How to light and photograph Lego building interiors
  • Lighting Setup: How to light your portraits with £50 LED tubes
  • Review: Insta360 announces its first gimbal – The AI-tracking Insta360 Flow
  • World Press Photo 2023 regional winners show why AI will never kill photography

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy