MBTA Worker Saves Man from Burning Car

Earlier this week an MBTA Green line worker pulled an injured man out of the back seath of a burning car in Arlington, MA.

According to firefighters, he probably saved the man's life when he freed him from the burning taxi cab, the Boston Herald news article said.

About 7 am on Monday, John Bailey, 63, of Medford, who has worked for MBTA for 36 years, was on his way to work when he saw a taxi cab jump over an embankment and crash into a tree along the Mystic Valley Parkway near the Medford line in Arlington, the Boston Globe reported.

Bailey said he stopped his car when he saw that the taxi's engine caught on fire.

He immediately ran down to the burning car to help. He opened the back passenger door and found a passenger whose face was covered in blood. There was no driver in the car.

Bailey began to pull the passenger out of the car and called for help since he had difficulty getting him all the way out of the vehicle.

Another man arrived and helped Bailey pull the injured man out of the taxi, which was soon fully engulfed in flames. By then firefighters arrived at the scene.

The injured passenger was later identified as George Kane, 42, of Lexington.

The taxi cab driver, Jean M. Franck, 47, of Medford, was discovered on the embankment suffering from a broken leg and head contusions.

Both Franck and Kane were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where they were reported to be in fair condition.

State Police think the accident happened due to excessive speed. The taxi cab, a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria owned by Arlex Taxi Company in Medford, was speeding when Franck lost control, went off the road and traveled along the Mystic River for a short distance. He then re-entered the roadway and rear-ended a Toyota Camry. The crash sent the taxi into a tree and Franck was thrown from the car, which burst into flames, police said.

The other driver, Alain Velis, 41, of Medford, was not injured.

Franck is facing the possiblity of three charges including reckless operation of a vehicle, operating with a suspended license and a marked lane violation.

Arlington Fire Chief Robert Jefferson said he will be writing a letter of commendation for Bailey for his bravery and quick response.

“We couldn’t be more proud of him. He represents the best of MBTA employees,” said MBTA General Manager Richard Davey.