Three men honored for pulling accident victims from burning vehicle
Updated: 4 hours ago
By Charlene Sims, Journal staff
MOUND CITY – Three men were honored on Monday, Sept. 21 by the Linn County Sheriff's Office, Rural Fire Department, county commissioners and AMR staff for their bravery and disregard for their own safety by pulling accident victims, including young children, from a burning vehicle.
At the Linn County Commission meeting, county Fire Chief Shaun Tuggle said he wanted to recognize three members of the community – Daniel Harris, Austin Allen, and Keegan Sheckells – for actions that deserve attention and gratitude. He said that as a fire chief, he has the opportunity to work alongside firefighters, law enforcement agencies, EMS personnel and other first responders who are trained to respond when someone life’s is in danger.
"We train for emergencies; we have protective equipment and resources available to us," he said. "But occasionally an emergency happens before any of us can get there. And ordinary citizens are faced with extraordinary decisions.
“Recently, three citizens came upon a serious motor vehicle crash involving a vehicle that was on fire," he said. "They recognized that there were people in immediate danger and rather than standing back and waiting for the emergency responders to arrive, they acted without hesitation. And despite the very real danger of their own safety, these individuals went to the aid of the victims and helped rescue them from a burning vehicle.
“There’s no way to know exactly the outcome we would have had if they hadn’t acted when they did. What we do know is in those critical moments when every second matters, these three individuals made the decision to help other human beings.
"Courage isn’t the absence of danger, it’s recognizing the danger in choosing to act because someone else needs your help. Their actions represent the very best of our hope to see in our community courage, compassion, selflessness, and willingness to help our neighbors when they need us the most.
“On the behalf of Linn County fire department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, county commissioners, and AMR, it is our privilege to recognize these three individuals with citizen life saving commendations.
“As I call your names, I’d ask please that you come forward, Austin Allen, which I understand is not here today, Daniel Harris, and Keegan Shekells. These commendations are presented in recognition of extraordinary courage, selflessness and decisive action during life-threatening emergencies. What you did that day made a difference. Your actions directly contributed to the preservation of human life and they reflect the high ideals of courage, service and community. Please accept our sincere gratitude and our deepest respect. We are proud to recognize each of you today. Thank you for what you did and congratulations. Thank you."
According to the report completed by Deputy Charles Stokes, the accident occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10:17 a.m. A 2014 Chevrolet Traverse driven by 37-year-old La Cygne Andrea Kincaid was southbound on Nickel Road and stopped at the 1150 Road intersection. The vehicle then pull forward slightly then entered the intersection where it was struck on the driver's side by a 2015 Chevrolet Impala driven by 20-year-old Caden Vink who was driving westbound on 1150 Road.
Vink said he was traveling 50 to 60 mph on 1150 Road but estimated that when he saw the vehicle enter the intersection he applied his brakes but was still traveling as much as 45 mph. According to the report, both vehicles came to rest about 20 feet west of the intersection. Nickel Road at that intersection is unpaved, and because of extremely dry weather, travel on unpaved roads in the area created a considerable amount of dust, but the report did not specify whether dust could have obscured Kincaid's view.
Daniel Harris, who was also traveling west on 1150 Road, told Stokes that the Impala passed him at about 70 mph just before the accident happened. Harris also said that he did not see the accident happen because dust from the collision clouded his view. It was Harris who called E911 to report the accident, telling the dispatcher that one vehicle had "T-boned" another. After making the call, Harris went to help victims from the Traverse.
Abou the same time Keegan Sheckells arrived on the scene. "Keegan told me he was on his way to work, traveling east on 1150 Rd., when he came upon the wreck and saw a large cloud of dust or smoke. Keegan stopped and assisted in removing occupants from the struck vehicle," the deputy wrote in his report.
"I also spoke with a third witness, Austin Allen . . . who had assisted in removing occupants from the red SUV before it became fully engulfed in flames. Austin arrived shortly after the wreck and was able to remove the youngest girl from the Chevy Traverse which had become substantially engulfed in flames," Stokes report said.
Both Andrea Kincaid and the 8-year-old girl seated behind Kincaid on the driver's side sustained serious injuries and were transported to metro area hospital via air ambulance. Kincaid was taken to Overland Park Regional hospital and the 8-year-old girl was taken to Childrens Mercy Hospital.
Craig Bradley, a 42-year-old man who identified himself as Kincaid's husband, along with a 2-year-old girl and a 9-month-old boy were transported by Miami County AMR ambulance to Overland Park Regional. Bradley told Stokes that no one in the SUV was wearing a seatbelt.
Apparently, Vink did not receive serious injuries from the accident and was able to be interviewed by Stokes. However, Stokes reported that Kincaid was fading in and out of consciousness and he was unable to interview her.
Stokes reported that by the time he arrived at the scene of the accident, both vehicles were fully engulfed in flames.
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