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Local heroes: Zachary linemen honored for courageous rescue of motorists from burning vehicle
08/12/2024
In a heartfelt ceremony at the July Zachary City Council meeting, two local linemen, Dylan Granger and Caleb Harrell, were recognized by the Zachary Fire Department for their heroic efforts in rescuing two motorists from a burning vehicle.
Granger and Harrell, both employees of Entergy, were returning from supporting a vessel transport when they encountered smoke billowing from the tree line along Highway 61 in Zachary. Demonstrating the quick thinking and bravery characteristic of their profession, the two men assessed the situation, gathered necessary equipment and responded with urgency and caution.
Granger recalls the events of that day vividly. He activated his emergency lights to alert other motorists before he and Harrell approached the flipped vehicle, which was resting against a utility pole. Hearing the pleas for help from a man inside, Granger discovered both a male driver and an unresponsive female passenger trapped in the car, with flames erupting from the engine bay.
Acting swiftly, Granger directed Harrell to retrieve gloves and a fire extinguisher from their bucket truck. With the fire extinguisher, Granger managed to control the flames enough to break the vehicle’s windshield and pull the motorists to safety. Shortly after, emergency responders arrived to take over.
The news of their heroic actions spread quickly through the tight-knit community of Zachary. Granger's family stumbled upon the scene while returning home, recognizing his truck and later realizing his involvement. Granger’s wife recalls the couple’s son saying, “That’s daddy’s truck!” Harrell, meanwhile, was identified by an emergency responder who had witnessed the rescue and relayed the news to his family. He arrived home that day to his father saying, “Well, I heard you were a hero today.”
Reflecting on the incident, both men remain humble.
Granger remarked, "We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. We had the tools to do something, so we made it work. I’d hope that if this were to happen to someone in my family, someone would stop and do the same thing."
Harrell added, “It was an adrenaline rush, but I was glad to be able to help get them out of there.”
In recognition of their selfless actions, the Zachary Fire Department honored Granger and Harrell with a Certificate of Commendation. Chief Danny Kimble praised their courage, stating, "Their courageous efforts in pulling the two motorists to safety exemplify true heroism, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for their swift response before we arrived on the scene."
Granger has been with Entergy for over a decade, while Harrell started his journey as a lineman about a year and a half ago. Both men have deep roots in their community, with family members working at Entergy’s River Bend Nuclear Station in St. Francisville.
“At Entergy, we join the community of Zachary in celebrating Dylan and Caleb,” said Steven Benyard, vice president of reliability for Entergy in Louisiana. “They’re not only skilled linemen but also true local heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.”
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