Officials: Motorist Lit Fire to Save Life
Jong Choi was stranded in a canyon when his vehicle plunged 500 feet over the side of a mountain highway Monday. He lit the blaze Thursday to get attention, authorities said.
``I don't want to encourage people to start fires, but if you're trapped for four days, you gotta do what you gotta do,'' said firefighter Jeff Ziegler, who helped rescue the 45-year-old Choi.
The victim was flown to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where he was treated for dehydration, spokeswoman Connie Matthews said. He was listed in fair condition.
``He wants us to tell everybody that he's OK,'' Matthews said.
The blaze in Angeles National Forest was reported Thursday morning and Los Angeles County firefighters sent to battle it discovered the man standing outside his van, Ziegler said.
``He was in some pain and a little emotionally upset,'' Ziegler said. ``He had some facial injuries and swelling that made communication a little more difficult for him. He was mostly just relieved to know that he would be going home.''
Ziegler said he yelled out, asking if anyone was in the canyon, but heard no response and didn't know there was a victim by the vehicle until he came face to face with the man.
When firefighters approached the man, Choi put his hands on his face and started crying, Ziegler said. He could barely walk and was strapped to a stretcher and hoisted out of the canyon by helicopter.
``He was so relieved that there was someone there,'' Ziegler said.
The brush fire was doused within an hour.