Flagler County, FL – An off-duty Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) detective was the first on the scene of a fiery two-car crash on Interstate 95 North just after 9 p.m., Monday.
Just moments after the late-night collision at the weigh station near mile marker 287, FCSO Detective Adam Gossett, who had been out having dinner with his family, was the first to arrive on the scene. As flames had just begun to roar through the Ford Eco Sport SUV, Gossett ran into action just moments after the occupants began to exit the vehicle.
Gossett discovered two children leaning against the car, both with injuries from the wreck. Gossett and the father both grabbed a child and carried them to safety, moving them away from the fire, off of the Interstate and onto a grassy area near the weigh station entrance.
Gossett started to assess the condition of the children as other first responders from the FCSO and Flagler County Fire Rescue quickly arrived to provide treatment. Gossett took off his shirt and used it to help stop the bleeding of one of the patients. Arriving deputies used their fire extinguishers in an attempt to knock down the fire.
“I’m very proud of Detective Gossett and everyone that responded,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “A Deputy Sheriff is never off duty and this is a great example of responding to an emergency even while technically ‘off duty’.”
The children were transported for medical treatment. Six people were involved in the accident, four of which suffered minor injuries. The case is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Watch video from FCSO first responders as they assist in the rescue: https://youtu.be/YoiEvpiE-0U