MANCHESTER, NH – Several people are being hailed as heroes after their quick actions helped rescue two people who were unconscious from inside a smoke-filled car on Jan. 29.
Manchester Police said at approximately 2:45 p.m. a 1998 Volvo 570 was parked in the parking lot of 377 South Willow St., occupied by two men, a 33-year old from Hooksett and 35 year old from Manchester.
At that time four employees of GEICO, identified as Scott Hamel, Haroula Hamel, Jessica Graves and Katrina Kerra, noticed the parked car and further noticed the engine racing loudly. Scott Hamel approached the vehicle and noticed both men inside the car appeared to be unconscious, and that the passenger had “blue lips,” so Hamel pulled that man from the vehicle.
While doing so, they reported hearing a loud “pop” and at that time the engine shut down. The popping sound may have caused an engine fire, police said, because in a matter of seconds the cab of the vehicle began to fill with smoke.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Manchester Fire Department.
Manchester Fire personnel doused the fire as AMR workers began performing CPR on both occupants. The two men were brought to a local hospital and treated with Narcan, which is used to counter the effects of heroin overdose. Police believe the two may have overdosed on heroin and that the driver’s foot was holding down the gas pedal.
Police said the two occupants of the vehicle may face criminal charges, so names are currently being withheld pending the completion of the investigation.
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