Overview

In a remarkable act of bravery, a Winnipeg driver became an unexpected hero on Thursday morning when he rescued passengers from a burning paratransit van.

The Rescue

Lorne Mansky, while en route to work down Beaverhill Boulevard in Southdale, spotted flames emerging from the van that was stopped at a nearby intersection.

“I honked my horn to alert the driver, but he didn’t see me and continued down the road,” Mansky recounted. Not one to back down, he quickly turned his vehicle and followed the flaming van, determined to get the driver’s attention.

Finally, Mansky managed to flag down the elderly driver, who was utterly unaware of the fire threatening his vehicle. Upon learning about the blaze, the driver was understandably shocked.

Mansky speculated that the fire ignited after the van ran over a cardboard box that had become lodged underneath. A good Samaritan nearby even assisted in removing the cardboard, but the threat escalated when the flames reignited as the driver opened the hood to check on the situation.

Team Effort

Realizing the urgency of the moment, Mansky, the driver, and the bystander worked together to get the passengers out. They managed to open the backdoor, and while the driver successfully used the wheelchair ramp for one passenger, it began to malfunction due to the growing fire.

Showing quick thinking, Mansky located a manual pump handle to aid in the evacuation, while the driver safely disconnected the last passenger. An additional passenger, who did not require a wheelchair, managed to escape the flames on their own.

Emotional Gratitude

“It was an emotional moment when one of the passengers approached me afterward, wanting to shake my hand and say thanks for saving my life,” Mansky shared, clearly moved by the experience.

Emergency Response

With sirens in the distance, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived promptly and took control of the situation, extinguishing the fire without any reported injuries.

Thankfully, the cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but officials confirmed that the vehicle was not part of the city’s Transit Plus program.

Community Reflection

Mansky, a devoted community member and service club member for over 30 years, reflected on his actions: “What kind of a member would I be if I completely ignored someone in such desperate need?” His selfless act serves as a reminder of the power of taking action in critical moments.

Follow-Up

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this story for any updates regarding the investigation into the fire’s cause and the brave actions of those involved!