Good Samaritans Help Rescue Man From Burning Car

HAUPPAUGE, NY - Several good Samaritans helped to rescue a man from a burning car after a crash in Hauppauge on Wednesday afternoon, according to Suffolk Police.

Paul Gross, 53, of Mount Sinai, suffered an apparent medical incident and crashed into a tree in front of 837 Townline Road at 4:53 p.m., police said.

The car then started to catch fire.

Hauppauge resident Stephen Matteo, 31, a volunteer fireman, heard the crash from his home and rushed to the scene. He then flagged down a passing driver, 57-year-old Edmund Quinones, of Ronkonkoma, to help pull Gross, who was unconscious, out of his car.

The heat from the fire was so severe that Matteo’s watch burned.

Matteo along with other good Samaritans then provided medical care on the scene and helped revive Gross.

After hearing the crash, 19-year-old Briana Stettner, of Hauppauge, went to the intersection of Townline Road and Hoffman Lane to stop traffic so emergency vehicles could get to the scene.

Gross was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital by the Smithtown Fire Department with several non life-threatening injuries.

No other injuries were reported. The heat from the fire was so severe that Matteo’s watch burned, police said.

The investigation is continuing.

Photos: Smithtown Fire Department