WESTFORD — A resident was honored for his heroic actions after rescuing a driver from an overturned vehicle submerged in water following a crash last month.
Police said Ryan O’Neill, a Westford resident and multisport coach, was driving on Williams Avenue on the night of Jan. 31 when he witnessed a vehicle slide off the icy road, overturn and land in water. O’Neill called 911 to report the incident and attempted to assist the driver before first responders arrived.
When he realized the car was taking on water, O’Neill grabbed a baseball bat from his car to break the passenger side window of the vehicle. He then removed the operator of the vehicle and placed them into his car to keep warm during the freezing temperatures, according to authorities.
Mr. O’Neill’s actions that evening certainly made a positive impact on the outcome of the motor vehicle crash and aided the operator who was in danger’s way. Due to the swiftness of Mr. O’Neill’s actions, the operator of the vehicle was uninjured,” the Westford Police Department said on social media.
During a Feb. 25 Select Board meeting, O’Neill was presented with the Civilian Service Certificate, an honor given to a civilian “who extends oneself beyond one’s own safety to provide prompt action in aiding other civilians in danger’s way.”
“The Westford Police Department does not always encourage individuals to intervene and put themselves in jeopardy for fear of those parties becoming victims themselves, but Mr. O’Neill was able to assess the scene for danger and act decisively to prevent possible tragedy. The members of the Westford Public Safety Team would like to thank Mr. O’Neill for his selfless actions that night,” the department said.
