NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. (AP) – A Good Samaritan showed “superhuman strength” when he bent the door of a burning sport utility vehicle and rescued another motorist on a Minnesota freeway, a state trooper said.
Bob Renning, 52, of Woodbury was driving with his girlfriend on Interstate 35W in New Brighton Sunday evening when he noticed the vehicle driving behind him was on fire.
Renning told the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1m51GUH ) that he stopped about 200 feet in front of the SUV as it pulled over. Renning said he sprinted to the car as he saw flames and smoke “rolling around” the SUV. His girlfriend called 911.
When Renning reached the SUV, the flames had intensified and the interior was filled with smoke. He couldn’t see anyone inside. He pulled on the door handle, but it wouldn’t open. He then spotted Michael Johannes frantically pounding and kicking against the passenger-side window.
Johannes couldn’t open the door after the locks and power windows failed.