'Good Samaritan' From Wilton Honored For Efforts In New Canaan Rescue

NEW CANAAN, CT — Just before 7 p.m. on May 3, at the intersection of Cross Ridge and North Wilton roads in New Canaan, Wilton resident Thomas Dubin made a choice, and another man, a New Canaan resident, is alive today as a result.

Dubin pulled the unconscious man out of a burning car that had slammed into a tree, and at ceremony Tuesday morning, Dubin was honored by the New Canaan Police Department for his heroic actions.

"Responding New Canaan Police Officers arrived and found the injured operator out of the vehicle, lying down a safe distance from the burning vehicle," wrote Capt. Andrew Walsh in a statement, adding that emergency personnel from multiple departments were able to jump in and extinguish the vehicle, treat and transport the victim to Norwalk Hospital.

The investigating officers quickly determined that Dubin had pulled the unconscious driver from the burning 1991 Saab 9-3S, prior to police arrival. And New Canaan Police Sgt. Kevin Casey, who was the on-duty Patrol Supervisor that evening, subsequently nominated Dubin to receive the New Canaan Police Department’s Civilian Service Award for his heroism at the accident scene.

The nomination noted, "The fire, which started towards the front bumper, was now partially engulfing the passenger cabin of the vehicle. We learned that Thomas Dubin had pulled the driver from the burning car prior to our arrival. It was clear that Mr. Dubin’s actions saved the life of that driver."

Before officers arrived on scene, the nomination states that "the car was burning to a point that we may not have been able to get the driver out of the vehicle. He surely would have been severely burned by that point."

On the award, the inscription reads in part, "This honor will be awarded to any citizen who, without concern for their own safety, renders prompt assistance to any person who is in danger."

The investigation, which was conducted by a joint New Canaan and Wilton accident reconstruction team, is closed, and the injured driver was not cited for any offense. His identity was not released by police, but he is recovering at home from his injuries, officials said.

Photo: Thomas Dubin. Photo credit: ajws.org