Often when there’s a story of a motorist helping out after an accident, it’s a trucker pulling someone from a wreck. But this time, the script was flipped and it was a mother of four who had given birth just days earlier who saved the life of a trucker.
Holly McNally was driving home from the a local hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where her 4-day-old son Connor was being watched over by doctors. She could see huge plumes of black smoke rising from the road in front of her. A semi and its trailer had overturned on the ramp going from I-465 South to I-70 East in Indianapolis at around 2pm.
“I saw the actual semi on fire and then looked to the front of the semi and then I see a man on fire, like his head was burning,” McNally told WTHR.
McNally’s mother was with her in the car as well. “I told my mom, ‘I’m stopping and I’m going over there.’ and she’s like, ‘No you’re not.’ I was like, ‘I am.'”
With that, McNally hopped over the guard rail, and ran up the ramp toward the man.
“Only thing on this man’s body were his boots, clothes were dripping off,” McNally said. “There was nothing on him. Nothing.”
Together with the help of fellow good Samaritan, 50-year-old Mitch Navarre, McNally was able to use a coat to put out the fire on the man.
“I said, ‘Honey what are you hauling, what’s at our feet?’ And he said ‘Jet fuel.’ I said, ‘Oh my gosh you guys, we’ve got to hustle,'” McNally said according to WTHR.
With that, they pulled the man away from the wreck. Less than a minute later, the semi exploded, engulfing the area where they had been standing in flames.
The trucker was taken to the hospital in critical condition and was later identified as 59-year-old Jeffrey Denman.
McNally says that the experience was the most intense thing she’d ever gone through – besides delivering a baby. When asked about that, she told reporters that she had delivered Connor on her own.
“The doctor was on his way to the hospital and the emergency room doctor did not make it to my room in time, so it was just me and a nurse,” McNally told to People. “My mother watched me put my hands down there and pull little man out and lay him on the belly.”
“So, are you usually this much of a badass?” one WTHR reporter asked.
“I try to be,” McNally responded. “I try to be so my kids think I’m cool and strong.”
What a WOMAN!! TOTAL BADASS in a CARING, STRONG way. GOOD on her, GO Holly! Thanks for being that strong, yes your children, your family and friends can be proud of you. I’m sure there will be naysayers about the risk they took. Along with the other GOOD SAMARITAN a man’s LIFE was SAVED!
Seen this on the news. What s true hero God Bless You. Any updates on the driver ?
My sincerest gratitude for this random act of kindness. Truckers hate motorists and motorists hate truckers, and it’s great to see that in the time of need, people can put aside their differences and come together.
Wow Miss Holly, that is truly amazing and the absolute definition of a hero! Great job! Haha, I can only imagine the conversation your mom was having with herself as you took off to save that driver. 😂
Hell yeah !!! You go girl!!! Awesome!!!
God bless you , any news on the driver ? As a driver myself it is nice to hear there are great people out there . We don’t see great people like you as often as we should . Hope Conner is doing ok , and your family as well.
Giving thanks to the creator for life..that woman is on ANGEL SENT..im a trucker too..we dont hate no vehicle operator on the road its just the decision made in front a 80 thousand truck that will crush a smell car..but truck drivers remember one thing we get a different type of teaching from small vehicle operator..i truly hope the driver/brother of the truck make it thru..THE company of this trucker should give miss ANGEL SENT..A SUM for doing..back to THE ANGEL SENT..madam i thank you for your doing.. They say is a MAN’S world but we couldnt do it without you..blessings LOVE..peace.
Good Golly Miss Holly, I think you’ll be in a movie very soon. Great job.
This woman is everything I want to be!! Iconic!
God bless you Holly your a God send
My question is…I-465 surely had TONS of trucks going by…Why did not one of them STOP?
This young mother of FOUR could have just as easily been a FATALITY…by doing what no other fellow TRUCKER did.