Following a collision, a Pine Bluff bus driver rescues a police officer

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – On Monday, the Pine Bluff Police Department launched a widespread search effort to identify the individual who assisted in saving one of its own.

The initial spark came from a thank-you message made by the department to the individual who “stopped to help the officer and quite possibly saved his life.” The individual departed before his identity was given, according to Pine Bluff police, adding they “owe him a debt of gratitude and a new fire extinguisher.”

It was soon made clear by a plethora of eyewitness accounts and comments collected, that Carl Smith’s fast thinking and bravery prevented the death of a Pine Bluff police officer following his collision with the rear of a school bus.

Smith added that when his “training kicked in,” he was able to intervene and save the cop. Smith also assisted in mediating the conflict.

A police car struck a Pine Bluff School District bus that was stopped at a stop sign on Dollarway Road close to Phyllis Street, according to a police complaint.

Witnesses claimed to have seen a man assisting in putting out the fires that broke out in the bus and police car shortly after the collision.

Smith claimed that while the automobile was burning, it was difficult for him to extract the officer due to the extensive damage. At that moment, he reached into the back of the school bus and took out the fire extinguisher.

“He’s on fire, so I run around the vehicle and try to get the driver’s door open,” said Smith. “Since it was beyond human capability, I hurried to the bus and grabbed the fire extinguisher. I extinguished the flames and bided my time until help arrived.”

Smith, a retired coach and teacher, claimed that his deeds of selflessness were instinctive. Instead of considering himself a “hero,” he saw himself as someone who would stand up for him.

Smith said, “He’ll come and save me.” “The police will arrive if I call them. It was only right to save his life as they risked theirs every day. It was my desire to accomplish it.”

Smith was the only passenger on the bus at the time of the collision, and it is anticipated that the hurt police officer will fully recover.