HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Two Texas State Park police officers are being recognized for their actions which the agency says saved the life of a 18-year-old recent high school graduate who was severely injured and trapped inside a burning vehicle after a crash.
The crash happened on Oct. 31 on Garrett Road, just outside of Sheldon Lake State Park in the eastern part of Harris County.
At the time, Texas State Park Police Officer Ryan Blalock was traveling on the boundary of the park when he noticed thick, black smoke coming from the roadway ahead.
He contacted Texas State Park Police Sgt. Neal Kocurek, who was nearby, and told him he believed there was a fire in or near the park.
Kocurek responded and found a vehicle partially engulfed in flames. He also saw Officer Blalock and a passerby inside of the vehicle trying to get the driver out. The driver was pinned by the vehicle’s dash and also had one of his legs impaled by the emergency brake, further trapping him inside the vehicle.
The two officers continued trying to get the teenager out of the car, but were not able to. The flames were spreading from the engine compartment and into the passenger compartment, including the driver’s side floorboard and dash.
Acting quickly, Sgt. Kocurek ran to his vehicle and grabbed a fire extinguisher. A bystander handed Officer Blalock another fire extinguisher and the two began spraying the fire to keep it from consuming the driver and the passenger compartment.
The Sheldon Fire Department arrived and they, along with the officers, continued working to extinguish the fire. The agency noted both officers are also former firefighters.
Once the fire was out, the Sheldon Fire Department was able to get the driver out of the vehicle where he was then airlifted to a hospital. The driver reportedly had both legs broken, a broken arm, smoke inhalation and internal cranial bleeding, but had no burns to his body and is recovering.
“Throughout the rescue, both Officer Blalock and Sgt. Kocurek were exposed to heavy smoke, burning harmful chemicals, extinguisher powder and parts of the vehicle exploding due to the extreme heat, without the aid of breathing apparatus or respirator protection. Officer Blalock and Sergeant Kocurek required decontamination, and Officer Blalock went to an area hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and has since recovered,” the Texas State Park Police said. “The quick and strategic actions of Officer Blalock and Sgt. Kocurek undoubtedly saved the driver’s life and are in keeping with the mission and highest standards of the Texas State Park Police.”
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