NEWARK, Ohio — An Ohio firefighter/medic was honored for his role in rescuing a man who was trapped in a cement truck that was flipped over in a creek.
Firefighter/medic Barry Wright was honored Wednesday by the Licking County Red Cross for his heroism during the July 11, 2011 incident and was awarded the Fire/Rescue Hero award.
“So, the water, it was like a creek, and it was coming at him, and it would come up, go around the truck, and come up and go all the way around the front of the truck and fill up the cab,” said Wright on Wednesday.
Jamey Hall was hanging upside down behind the wheel of the cement truck and was using a dismantled pen to breathe underwater until Wright was able to rip open the driver’s side door.
10TV reports that Wright held Hall’s head above water until crews were able to free him.
A team of 30 to 40 firefighters cut Hall free and a medical chopper flew him to the hospital where doctors were able to save his injured leg.
Wright and Hall saw each other for the first time since the incident at the award ceremony; Hall held back tears as they embraced.
“You’re alive, you’re alive, that’s the main thing,” Wright said to Hall.