On the afternoon of December 6, Ray Costain was at home working on his house when he saw smoke rising from near the intersection of Patterson Ave. and Ramsey Ave.
Costain, Bridgeville’s assistant fire chief, headed over to inspect the scene and saw a car on fire over the hill, wedged between two trees.
He called 911 and moments later Bridgeville police officer Matt Haley arrived.
The two men approached the vehicle, which was too filled with smoke to see inside. Haley smashed the window and found an elderly woman behind the wheel.
Haley and Costain took her back up the hill, and seconds later, several explosions rocked the car and it was completely engulfed in flames.
At last night’s borough council meeting, the pair were formally commended for their heroics.
Police chief Chad King presented Haley with a plaque and a pin for meritorious conduct.
Fire chief Bill Chilleo gave Costain plaque on behalf of the fire department and the county, recognizing his role in saving the woman’s life.
After the rescue on Dec. 6, authorities learned that the 78-year-old woman suffered a seizure that caused her to lose control of the car. She also experienced a heart attack, possibly because of the wreck, the explosions, and other stress from the incident.
She’s is alive and well and living with family out of state, King said.