In this still frame taken from bodycam video, a good Samaritan and a sheriff's deputy pull two people from a fiery crash in subzero temperatures Jan. 20, 2025 in Neenah. (Image courtesy Winnebago County Sheriff's Office)
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Dramatic bodycam video shows the moment a good Samaritan and a sheriff’s deputy rescued two people from a fiery crash in extreme cold temperatures.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office released the video clip Wednesday. Capt. Lara Vendola-Messer says the full video was not released as Neenah police are still investigating the incident.
Around 9:40 p.m. Monday, officers received a report of a single-vehicle crash with likely injuries in the 1300 block of Gillingham Road.
Police say a two people headed south when their vehicle left the roadway, hit a fire hydrant and turned down an embankment and struck a tree before spinning and landing on the passenger side of the vehicle.
A nearby resident, identified as Tanner Ater, heard the crash and went outside to see a car on its side smoking and heard a passenger scream for help.
Ater, seen in the video wearing a yellow reflective vest, rushed to the scene with a fire extinguisher and used it on the engine compartment.
The passenger was able to climb out of the vehicle and Ater helped her down, fighting through extensive smoke.
A Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy was close to the scene and was the first law enforcement officer to arrive.
Ater climbed on top of the vehicle, helped the deputy up and together helped the driver out as the car’s engine compartment reignited and burst into flames.
That’s when Neenah Menasha Fire Rescue arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.
The driver and passenger were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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