Virginia teen lifts truck to free father trapped in burning garage

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Saturday, January 9, 2016
Teen lifts truck, saves family
A teenager says she lifted a truck to save her father and then drove the vehicle -- in flames -- out of a house

VIENNA, VA -- A Virginia teenager lifted a truck to rescue her father, and then saved the rest of her family from a raging fire.

Nineteen-year-old Charlotte Heffelmire's father was working on his truck when it fell and gasoline spilled everywhere. Soon after, there was an explosion.

Charlotte says she can't fully explain what happened, other to say her instincts jumped into overdrive.

Charlotte said, "(I) went over to the truck, lifted it the first time, he said 'OK, you almost got it,' ... so I lifted it one more time. I finally managed to get it out, it was some crazy strength, I pulled him out."

Once her dad was safe, Charlotte got into the truck which was still on fire and drove it out of the garage. She then made sure her family who was inside the house was OK.