California limo driver fire mistook 1st plea for help

[Jazzy]

The driver of a limousine that burst into flames on a San Francisco Bay area bridge, killing five women, says he at first misunderstood what one of the passengers in the back was saying when she complained about smelling smoke.

Orville Brown told the San Francisco Chronicle that with the music up he initially thought the woman was asking if she could smoke. Seconds later, he said the women knocked again, this time screaming, "Smoke, smoke!" and "Pull over."

Brown pulled to the side of a San Francisco Bay bridge to check. As he got out, the back of the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

A newlywed bride and eight of her friends were still inside, but passersby quickly pulled three from the burning Lincoln Town Car late Saturday night. And one woman managed to reach safety by squeezing through the partition from the passenger section to the driver's compartment, Brown told authorities.

But five others, including the bride whose marriage they were celebrating on a girls' night out, became trapped.

The five were found dead as firefighters doused the vehicle -- all huddled near the partition, apparently unable to squeeze through.

Full article with video

So very tragic. He got out but I don't see mention that he tried to help get the women out. Thank goodness for that passerby.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

the driver survived, maybe if he was more attentive he could have pulled over and let everyone get out and get away from the burning car before it was too late?