ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) The hero who disappeared after saving a man from a burning truck in Rockcastle County has come forward.
After days of being shrouded in mystery, First Class Sergeant Mario King has been identified as the man who pulled a truck driver trapped in a fiery wreck to safety, saving the man’s life.
"The first thing I heard him say was, ‘help’. And I told him ‘hey, you know help is here, we’re here for you. we’re going to get you out’," said the Fort Knox soldier.
Sergeant King credits a bit of divine intervention for ending up on that stretch of US 150 in Rockcastle County on May 13.
"I’m just grateful that we were there. There’s no other rhyme or reason that we were on 75. Because that’s not our usual route back to Radcliffe Kentucky," he said.
Sergeant King said that he and his wife were stuck on a detour heading back to Fort Knox when they saw the tanker and car collide.
"We were just talking and the next thing I know I heard ‘Oh my God!’ from my wife," said Sergeant King.
He and three other good samaritans ran towards the flames to rescue the man. Sergeant King ultimately saved the man and then left without a word.
"When I took action, I really wasn’t afraid. I felt that I had protection and that it wasn’t my time to go," he said.
Two other men, Gary Mink and Sam Hamilton, also helped with the rescue.
The truck driver is still recovering from his injuries. Sergeant King said that Bowling’s daughter has reached out to thank him on behalf of her dad.
