Holly McNally was driving home from the NICU when she noticed a man on fire, running away from a fuel explosion caused by a tanker.
Women are pretty damn amazing. You think that they've done everything possible, but then, wham! Out of nowhere, they do something to blow your mind all over again. Holly McNally from Indianapolis is one of those women. Earlier this week, she gave birth to her fourth child, who had to be placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She was on her way home from the NICU, when she noticed a man running down an exit ramp to I-70. He was on fire. Instead of just calling 911 or walking away from the situation, Holly decided to get down and help the man, USA Today reports.
Though she was driving down the highway, Holly stopped the car and got out as soon as she saw the man. She hopped over a guardrail and ran towards the man. As it turned out, right before 2 pm on Thursday afternoon, a tanker carrying 4,000 gallons of fuel rolled over and caught fire on the ramp from I-465 southbound to I-70 eastbound. It caused “severe, catastrophic damage” to the areas surrounding the highway, as per Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith. The fuel the tanker was carrying spilled over the bridge and onto the grass. Ultimately what was left was a scene of utter destruction. Thankfully, the 59-year-old man was able to escape from the tanker.
This story is incredible and inspiring! And true Holly Power on display, with the new mom/hero sharing first names with reporter @hollyvhays. https://t.co/UVeRVDAmAD
— Cory Havens (@CoryHavens) February 21, 2020
Despite how dangerous the situation was, Holly sprung into action. As she ran towards the driver, she noticed another man running towards him as well, carrying a blanket. When both Holly and the other good samaritan approached the man, they noticed he was severely burned. His clothes had completely burned away. They used the blanket to extinguish the fire he was consumed in, then covered him up and began to quickly walk away. That was when the second explosion happened. It caused the fire to spread down to the embankment they were walking through. The man, in shock and tired out, began to slow down. Holly was scared they would have to carry him. As someone who had just given birth, she wasn't sure if she was strong enough. That was when she spotted another man running towards them to help out.
Gave life and saved life in one week. More than you've done in your entire life. https://t.co/jvNhejFkgp
— Kay Shannon (@kayellen17) February 22, 2020
Speaking about the incident, she shared in an interview, "I guess mom and gut instinct. If that were my child or my husband or my family member, I would want somebody to run up if they could. We started to go down the embankment a little bit, and I could smell the fluid running past my feet. I was like, ‘You guys, we have got to get out of here.’" Though she didn't want to be selfish, she was also thinking about her baby. "I’m thinking I’m gonna blow up in an explosion," she said. "And not see my baby again." However, due to her immediate action, she was able to help the man escape. According to Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine, the trio of good samaritans helped save the driver's life. And to think, Holly had just given birth a mere few days ago. Women, we tell you. They're just something else.