A Plainville police officer and a Good Samaritan pulled a woman from a burning car on Interstate 84 in Plainville this morning, just before a small explosion right where the woman had been lying.
Maureen Jahne, 54, of Southington, was rescued from her burning car this morning on Interstate 84 in Plainville. She was brought to Hartford Hospital and then transferred to the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital.
Brian Cybulski, a 32-year-old Plainville police officer, and Kevin Bleau of Southington, pulled Jahne from her burning car around 6:30 a.m. on Friday.
According to state police, Jahne drove over a metal guardrail on Interstate 84 East between exits 33 and 34 in Plainville, hit a tree and the car caught fire.
When Cybulski arrived, Bleau had already broken the car window and was trying to pull the woman out of the car, according to police.
Bleau collapsed for a moment during the rescue because of the heat of the car, but was able to recover and rescue the woman. Soon after, there was an explosion.
"We are so thankful to everyone who helped her today," Jahne's family said in a statement released Friday afternoon. "There are no words to describe how we feel about the officer and Good Samaritan who risked their lives to save our beloved Maureen. We are so, so grateful."
Police are investigating and ask witnesses to call State Troop H at 860-534-1000.