A U.S. Military Academy football player and his father rescued a man from a burning vehicle during a Labor Day weekend incident in upstate New York. Larry Pickett Jr., a safety for the Army football team, carried the victim to safety as flames engulfed the car. His father assisted in the effort.
The rescue occurred when the family was returning to West Point after a dinner in New York City. They had been in the area to watch the first Army football game of the season. A video shared by Pickett’s father showed the car crashed into a tree, with a utility pole partially crushing the vehicle.
Pickett Jr. described his actions as instinctive, stating that his military training prompted him to act without hesitation. “We just saw someone who needed help and reacted,” he said. His father credited his son for the rescue but acknowledged their combined effort.
Army officials praised Pickett Jr.’s conduct, highlighting his embodiment of values such as duty and honor. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll commended him on social media, noting his readiness to act under pressure. The U.S. Military Academy also recognized the Pickets’ actions, calling them a reflection of Army principles.
The incident unfolded after the car struck a utility pole, causing it to catch fire. Emergency responders arrived at the scene but did not provide further details about the victim’s condition.