Sergeant assists in vehicle accident

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane M. Phipps
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  An Air Force sergeant rushed to the aid of multiple victims after witnessing a vehicle accident near Nampa, Idaho, Aug 15.

Following dropping his children off at day care, Staff Sgt. Craig Petersen, 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load-crew team chief, observed a serious wreck and quickly decided to intervene.

"I immediately stopped and ran over," said Petersen. "The first victim was in and out of consciousness and the airbag had deployed, so I suspected a possible neck injury. I then pointed to a bystander and directed him to hold the victim's head still."

After securing a chaotic scene at the first vehicle, Petersen continued to search for wounded individuals.

"I proceeded to where the second vehicle ended up and immediately realized there was gasoline everywhere," he said. "The driver was in horrible shape, with lacerations all over his face and a giant gash on his neck. I also noticed a young child in the passenger seat and immediately got him out of the wreckage, and gave him to a bystander and directed him to take the child safely away from the vehicle."

Upon ensuring the child's safety, Petersen returned to the severely injured driver and performed basic self-aid and buddy care techniques.

"I went back to the driver and used a blanket to keep pressure on his neck wound until paramedics arrived, and while I was doing that, I did my best to keep everyone out of the area because of the fuel leak danger," he explained.

Despite a hectic and bloody environment, Petersen remained calm and successfully handed the situation off to paramedics.

"Once they arrived, my hands were covered in blood and I let them know about all the victims' statuses as well as the fuel danger, and they took over from there," he said.

Petersen's courageous actions have not gone unnoticed by his direct supervision.

"He basically took control of the scene and made sure everyone was safe," said Master Sgt. Frank Espinoza, 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons section-chief. "I was very impressed because I don't know how many people would have reacted as well in that situation. He risked his life going in there with fuel everywhere."

Regardless of his heroism Petersen remains humble, attributing his quick response to the years of military training he's received.

"I wasn't thinking," he said. "I was only relying on my training, and it just took over."