Good Samaritan, dispatcher team up to save man from burning car
By Rachel Whelan
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BATESVILLE, Indiana (WLWT) — What started as a drive down a quiet country road quickly turned into a life-or-death situation for one man — and a stranger who refused to look the other way.
Robert Chamblin says he was driving along St. Marys Road in Batesville on Aug. 29 when he saw a car lose control, flip over into a ditch, and catch fire. Instead of just calling for help, Chamblin jumped into action.
“There was no one else there to help him and he needed help,” Chamblin said. “I would hope someone would do the same for me.
Chamblin called 911 as flames began to spread from the bottom of the car. On the other end of the line was Ripley County dispatcher Tim Costello, who calmly guided Chamblin through what became a tense rescue.
“Just one person, he’s getting out of the vehicle and I’m going to help him get out of the car because there is smoke and flames coming from the bottom,” Chamblin told Costello during the call.
Chamblin put his phone down to pull the driver away from the burning vehicle. Costello stayed on the line, waiting for several tense minutes. Then finally, Chamblin said he driver was safe and about 40 to 50 yards up the hill from the flames.
“Alright, Robert, good job, good job,” Costello said in the recording. “We’ve got everyone coming to you as quick as we can.”
Weeks later, Chamblin and Costello met in person for the first time. The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office honored Costello with a Life Saving Award for his steady guidance during the emergency.
“He did an amazing thing and I was very inspired by his actions,” Costello said. “I feel he needed the recognition.”
But Chamblin insists the real heroes are dispatchers like Costello.
“I helped a guy one time,” Chamblin said. “They do it every day. These guys deserve all the respect and recognition in the world.”
Due to privacy laws, officials cannot release the injured driver’s name. Chamblin says he hopes to learn more about his condition — the last he heard, the man was flown to UC Medical Center with a hip injury.
If you have any information or know the driver involved, contact newsdesk@wlwt.com.
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