Dangerous Storm Rips Through Portland
Washington had been sheltering in her home in Portland last week during a heavy storm sweeping through it when she observed a flash through the window, according to MSN.
Source: Apu Gomes/Getty Images
She immediately peeked out the window and saw a couple scrambled from a red SUV that had been hit with a downed power line before catching on fire.
Family Tried to Escape
18-year-old Washington said she saw a pregnant woman instruct her partner to get their young baby to safety.
Source: Freepik
As he tried to run up the concrete driveway with a child in his arms, he slid back down due to icy conditions. Unfortunately, his foot connected with a live wire which was on the ground.
Frantic Mother Tries to Rescue Baby
The mother, frantic with worry, ran toward her downed partner in an attempt to rescue the baby, yet she slipped on the ice and was also electrocuted.
Source: Freepik
The woman’s 15-year-old brother came out from his home to try and help, but he succumbed to the same fate as his sister and her boyfriend.
Washington Calls 911
Washington had already called emergency services after the father went down. Yet there was nothing more she could do as she watched the mother and the son get electrocuted.
Source: Freepik
However, in a miraculous turn of events, she saw the 9-month-old baby move its head, meaning it was still alive. This is when she decided to try and save its life.
How the Teenager Saved the Child
The teenager left her home and tried to crouch as low as possible to ensure she didn’t slip and fall into the live wire.
Source: James Leynse/Corbis/Getty Images
Washington inched her way toward the baby until she could grab it. When she picked up the infant, Washington claims to have brushed the deceased father’s body, yet somehow she wasn’t electrocuted.
Worried for the Neighbor, Baby
Speaking about the incident with news reporters, Washington says she knew the woman was the daughter of her next-door neighbor.
Source: Freepik
“I was concerned about the baby,” said Washington, who recognized the woman as her neighbor’s daughter (via U.S. News). “Nobody was with the baby.”
Fire Department Gives Well-Deserved Praise
In the wake of the horrible event, Washington has been praised as a hero by Portland Fire and Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves.
Source: Freepik
He said the department is dumbfounded as to how the teenager wasn’t electrocuted when she saved the child. Authorities later announced the infant went to the hospital and received the all-clear.
Heroic Acts in a Small Community
During the statement, Graves said, “We do have, fortunately, with us, a toddler that is going to be able to thrive and do what they possibly can as they move forward” (via U.S. News).
Source: Freepik
He continued, “And they are here, in part, because of the heroic acts of a member of our community.”
Terrifying Weather Conditions Lead to Numerous Deaths
In the past week, the harsh weather conditions battering the Pacific Northwest have led to the deaths of at least 10 people living in the Oregon areas.
Source: George Rose/Getty Images
Five people in Seattle alone died from hypothermia due to freezing rain and ice. Others died from falling trees and utility poles.
Father Speaks with News Station
Ronald Briggs, the father of the deceased woman, spoke with KGW about the devastating chain of events that led to his daughter’s death.
Source: Freepik
According to the father, his daughter had come over to use the internet. As she left to run errands in their car, it caught on fire, which forced the family to exit the vehicle and run toward safety.
Father Loses Two Kids in One Day
Briggs said he watched his daughter slide to her death. He warned his son, Ta’Ron, to keep his distance, yet the 15-year-old disobeyed his father in an attempt to help his sister.
Source: Freepik
“I told him, ‘Don’t go down there — try to get away from them.’ And he slid, and he touched the water, and he and he died too,” Briggs told U.S. News. “I have six kids. I lost two of them in one day.”