ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — South Korean firefighters training in Colorado are earning praise for their quick action during a deadly highway crash response.
The incident occurred on June 13 near Colorado Springs where a semi-truck collided with several vehicles along Interstate 25, killing one person and injuring multiple others, according KDVR.
The Korea Times reported that the firefighters from the National Fire Agency, Lee Ki-pyeong, Pyeon Young-beom, Jo In-seong and Kim Young-jin of the Central 119 Rescue Headquarters, and Kim Goo-hyeon of the South Jeolla Fire Department, were in Colorado as part of a joint training program with the Golden Fire Department. The group was returning from a training session when they came upon the crash.
According to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Korean team was the first to arrive and played a critical role in stabilizing the situation. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that their actions have been widely praised both in the United States and South Korea.
“It was as if we had rehearsed it,” Lee said. “Two of us began controlling traffic and calling 911 while the other three approached the vehicle and initiated the rescue.”
The firefighters checked the vehicle for passengers but found the front doors jammed. When they went to the rear, they spotted an unconscious man through the back window. After pulling him from the truck, they began administering medical aid.
“We assumed it is cardiac arrest so immediately we tried to pull him out,” Kim said. “There is no breathing and little pulse, so we tried CPR.”
The team continued CPR until Adams County Fire Rescue arrived, but the man later died at the hospital. While saddened by the outcome, Kim said there was no hesitation to act because the duty of a first responder extends, even thousands of miles from home.
The Adams County Fire Department also thanked the Korean team for their assistance, noting that their support during the high-pressure incident demonstrated the value of international collaboration in emergency services.
The Korean firefighters are expected to continue their training through June 19 before returning home.
