A wreck on I-20 near Pelahatchie today could have had a tragic end, but three passers-by stopped to help.

Friday morning before 7 a.m., an 18-wheeler left I-20 and crashed into some trees. Rankin County Emergency Operations Center Director Mike Word said the cab caught on fire with the driver trapped inside.

Another truck driver, who was also a retired firefighter, saw the situation and stopped, as did two other motorists who were power lifters. Together the three of them were able to push the steering column off the driver and pull him out of the burning cab of the truck.

“These three saved this man’s life this morning,” Word said.

The driver was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center with injuries to his lower extremities. His condition is unknown.

The wreck is still slowing traffic on I-20 as of 8:15 a.m.