WADE, Maine — Early Saturday morning on July 15, Damian Languell was in bed with his girlfriend when he woke to the sound of what he thought was something falling in his basement.
What Languell heard was the impact of a high-speed crash between a 1998 Buick Regal and a tree outside his home.
“It woke me up enough to be curious what it was,” Languell said.
After getting out of bed Languell heard a voice outside. Looking out a window, evidence of a fire hung in the air as his eyes scanned the yard.
“I looked outside and I saw that a tree on my property was burning and I immediately ran downstairs and grabbed buckets that we use for the garden and that’s when I noticed everything that had happened,”Languell said.
“I saw Quintin in the car pressed against the window. He was in a lot of pain, a tremendous amount of pain; it was really bad,” Languell said.
Thompson’s car was nearly split in two with the tree now occupying the driver seat, leaving him stuck and unable to escape.
“The engine was pushed toward the right and that was on fire,” Languell said. “I tried to put it out with the bucket of water that I had and I realized that it was definitely not doing enough.”
That’s when Languell said time slowed and he switched to autopilot to do what he could to save the teen.
“I ran back, got upstairs, woke my girlfriend; I said, ‘There’s a fire. You need to come downstairs with me,’” Languell said.
More water couldn’t stop the fire, which was now inching closer toward Thompson.
Emergency vehicles were on their way, but there was no time. Thompson needed to get out of that car, Languell said.
“I crawled through the back door on the passenger side. I moved debris and could see his legs were twisted around in the mess. He was moving a lot and trying to get his legs free and I was helping him. That’s when I noticed how bad his legs were,” Languell said.
Languell pulled out a pocket knife and cut Thompson free from his seat belt. Summoning all his strength, Languell pulled Thompson from the car and away from the fire.
“I’m just really happy that he got out of there and that he actually survived this entire ordeal, and I feel fortunate that I heard it and didn’t sleep through it because that accident was all in a matter of minutes,” Languell said.
By the time fire and ambulance arrived, Languell watched the fire consume the space where Thompson was stuck.
Thompson was rushed to The Aroostook Medical Center, but later flown to a larger hospital due to the severity of his injuries.
Thompson sustained multiple fractures in both lower legs, spine and face. He suffered a punctured lung and multiple lacerations, according to an online fundraiser established to help with Thompson’s medical bills.
According to a recent post on social media, Thompson is “looking great, smiling and joking.” He’s currently recovering at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Thompson’s father later reached out to Languell to thank him for his bravery.
“He was brief, but clearly grateful that I was there and I was able to help,” Languell said.
In a statement released by the Maine State Police, Languell had a “complete disregard for his own safety.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” Languell said.
