Heroic Coal Miner Rescues Woman From Car Wreck Moments Before It Goes Up In Flames
A woman is forever singing the praises of the humble hero who saved her from the unthinkable.
Wrong turn
Mercedes Boggs was on her daily commute to work when, turning on a bridge, her car hit a patch of ice and was sent careening down an embankment.
Trapped in her car with freezing cold water rushing in, she was in grave danger.
"When I was wrecking, I remember thinking that I’m getting ready to leave my whole family and I didn’t think that I was going to make it out"
- Mercedes Boggs to WVLT
Help on the hill
With precious time ticking away, she noticed a man walking down the hill in her direction.
It was coal miner John Burke, who was on his way home after the night shift when he noticed the flipped car and ran to her rescue. Relief washed over the trapped Boggs.
"I wasn't even scared anymore. I just knew that that was my saving grace", she recalls to WVLT.
She realized her good fortune moments later.
"30 seconds in, we turned around and the car went up into flames like literally, he saved my life," said Boggs. "Had I just sat there in that car, that would have been me. I would have been what was burning."
Reunited
Burke could have gone home, sleeping on a deed well done. Instead, he was kept awake wondering if Mercedes was okay.
It turns out that Mercedes was thinking of Burke too. Eager to meet her hero, she took her search to Facebook.
"Please please share this in hope to help me find the man that saved my life, I owe him deeply"
- Mercedes Boggs
900 likes and several hours later, Burke messaged her. He rushed to her hospital where, thankfully, she was in stable condition.
While Boggs was awestruck, Burke was humble about the whole ordeal.
“He’s like, ‘It’s really fine. It was no big deal I just kinda stopped and helped,’ but like to my family and to me he saved my life. Looking at the pictures, my driver’s seat was burnt up like that was the entire driver’s seat was burnt up. It was gone,” said Boggs.
Heroes don't need capes
Boggs and Burke have a special bond that remains strong to this day.
"He was a stranger that day but ever since then he’s been more than family," she says.
Especially in these tough times, we look to heroes on the silver screen, social media or sports. Yet look close enough, and you'll see larger-than-life legends like Burke all around you.
"Kids look up to like batman and superman and like those superheroes. That's how I look at John now. He will forever be my hero"
- Mercedes Boggs
More uplifting stories:
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.