Two local law enforcement agencies came together Thursday to honor Orlando Fire Lt. Ben Wootson after he pulled Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Luxon out of a burning car. Wootson says he was off-duty, running late to his son’s soccer game, when he looked in his rear-view mirror and saw Luxon’s patrol car crash and burst into flames.He quickly U-turned and jumped into action.“There was a point where I didn’t think it was going to happen. I didn’t think I was going to get out of that car. It was very close. If he was a few seconds off, I wouldn’t be here,” Deputy Luxon said.RELATED: Orlando firefighter saves Seminole County deputy from burning car“If it wasn’t for my son taking his time, putting socks on, we would’ve been already through that area 5 to 10 minutes sooner, but luckily with him and God’s grace, we were able to save Matt,” Wootson said.Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized Wootson Thursday, presenting him with a Back the Blue Award for his lifesaving efforts.She says he’s the very first firefighter to get the award. “This is a fine example of one of our heroes saving another hero and a fine example of what it takes to join the ranks of these amazing men and women that sign up to put their safety behind ours,” Moody said.Wootson says by the time he got to Luxon’s car, it was already on fire.He pulled him out and used his radio to call for help.Good civilians assisted in the meantime.“I just know that God didn’t want to call me home that day,” Luxon said.Luxon says he’s focused on making a full recovery and getting back to serving his community.Top headlines: Olympic gold medalist found dead in Orange County home Police identify 16-year-old killed in Volusia County shooting Florida man executed for stabbing woman 37 times, killing her
Two local law enforcement agencies came together Thursday to honor Orlando Fire Lt. Ben Wootson after he pulled Seminole County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Luxon out of a burning car.
Wootson says he was off-duty, running late to his son’s soccer game, when he looked in his rear-view mirror and saw Luxon’s patrol car crash and burst into flames.
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He quickly U-turned and jumped into action.
“There was a point where I didn’t think it was going to happen. I didn’t think I was going to get out of that car. It was very close. If he was a few seconds off, I wouldn’t be here,” Deputy Luxon said.
RELATED: Orlando firefighter saves Seminole County deputy from burning car
“If it wasn’t for my son taking his time, putting socks on, we would’ve been already through that area 5 to 10 minutes sooner, but luckily with him and God’s grace, we were able to save Matt,” Wootson said.
Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized Wootson Thursday, presenting him with a Back the Blue Award for his lifesaving efforts.
She says he’s the very first firefighter to get the award.
“This is a fine example of one of our heroes saving another hero and a fine example of what it takes to join the ranks of these amazing men and women that sign up to put their safety behind ours,” Moody said.
Wootson says by the time he got to Luxon’s car, it was already on fire.
He pulled him out and used his radio to call for help.
Good civilians assisted in the meantime.
“I just know that God didn’t want to call me home that day,” Luxon said.
Luxon says he’s focused on making a full recovery and getting back to serving his community.
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