FORESTVILLE, Md. — The family of a 5-year-old who was rescued from a burning multi-vehicle crash is thanking the good Samaritans who helped the victims.
The crash happened Monday morning along the outer loop of Interstate 495 near Maryland Route 4. The Prince George's County Fire Department said crews arrived to find flames coming from an overturned dump truck.
Video from the scene shows the moments strangers stepped in to help a young boy and his mom who had been badly burned on I-495 Monday
“I got the call and my whole life changed,” Actwood Brown said. His 5-year-old son was one of the victims seriously injured. Four people in total were taken to hospitals following the accident.
“For someone to put their life on the line for my son, thank you so much,” said Actwood Brown.
In life, there is a lot to be thankful for and Brown is giving gratitude to two complete strangers Wednesday.
“To you guys, I owe you everything,” Brown said when talking about the two people who helped his son and the boy’s mother. “You saved my life, my child is everything I have, thank you.”
Now Brown said his son, who goes by Tank is in the hospital with breathing and feeding tubes fighting for his life. He said his legs and feet were badly burned.
“He had some skin, tissue removed he will have procedures this week and have some grafts done, he has 30% of his body burnt,” Brown said.
A video obtained by WUSA9 shows a man helping Brown’s 5-year-old son away from the burning wreck after the boy escaped the debris and flames. His mother was also trapped and helped.
"The mother was burning and screaming. So I comforted him, told him you'll be fine you will not die. You'll be fine,” a man who stepped in to help, Adonteng Boateng said. “He said will I die? I said you will not die.”
WUSA9 later learned that Boateng is a bishop at Divine Word International Ministries in Woodbridge.
As Brown continues to dawn on this blessing of his son being saved, the road to recovery physically and mentally has just begun.
“He’s come out of sedation a few times, and you could just see the horror on his face and I just tried to calm him down and let him know I’m there,” Brown said.
Brown tells WUSA9 he would like to meet the two people who helped his family in person. He mentioned prayers for the family would also help. He also said the boy’s mom – who has not been identified is also in bad shape, with 75% of her body burned, and is still in the hospital.
RELATED: 'I said you will not die' | Video captures man helping a child to safety after fiery crash on I-495
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