Truck driver recovering from serious burns after 18-wheeler crashes, catches fire in York County

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A truck driver is recovering from serious burns after his 18-wheeler went off a road in York County, crashed and caught fire Monday afternoon.

Deputies said the tractor-trailer drove off the road on Highway 55, between Soaring Road near Clover Middle School and Carbon Metallic Boulevard.

Officials said the truck crashed into a tree in front of a house and then caught fire. Crews could see smoke at the scene as firefighters arrived to put the flames out.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene, and several firefighters could be seen near the mess from the tractor-trailer.

Channel 9 has learned that it could have been a lot worse if three bystanders, including Mark Waid, hadn’t decided to jump in and help.

“We had seconds, if that. Milliseconds,” Waid said. “I pulled my brakes, got out, got my fire extinguisher and I just took off running.”

He described the scene as hectic. The truck was on fire, along with the driver from the waist down. Already battling the heat, he said the fuel tanks started exploding.

Waid extinguished the flames on the man and dragged him away with help from two other people before paramedics arrived.

“My nerves were tore up. My hands were shaking. It was pretty traumatic,” he said.

Wait said the driver had serious burns, although he made it out alive.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with heroics. I think it’s just instinct,” he said.

Now, Waid is hoping for a reunion with the other two bystanders and the man they helped save, once he recovers. As a truck driver of 25 years himself, he said truckers look out for each other, and of this day he did just that.

South Carolina Highway Patrol has not said what caused the crash.

The highway has since reopened but officials said crews spent hours cleaning up debris from the wreck.

This is an ongoing investigation. Return to this story for updates.

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