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CNN Live Event/Special
Interview with Randy and Stephen Blair
Aired August 19, 2003 - 19:56 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A weekend interstate accident must have seemed like hell in Oklahoma for one driver. She was trapped in a fire ball after fuel truck blew up on I-35, and the entire scene was caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Help me!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep coming!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Help me, please!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: You heard the screams, what would do? A man and his son braved the flames to reach her when she got lost in this horrific scene. What would make people run toward a dangerous situation like this. Let's find out.
We have with us Randy Blair, and his son Stephen joining us from Oklahoma City to tell us about this incredible event and rescue. Thank you for being with us.
RANDY BLAIR, WOMAN'S RESCUER: Hello.
KAGAN: Dad, let's start with you. You see this scene taking place. You have to make that split-second decision to run in. How do you decide?
R. BLAIR: It was basically just instinct. Just to do it.
KAGAN: And Steve -- go ahead.
R. BLAIR: We didn't really think about it. We just did it.
KAGAN: Stephen, what was it like once you got in there once you got the woman?
STEPHEN BLAIR, WOMAN'S RESCUER: You couldn't really see anything. It was just smoky and sort of scary. As soon as I reached her, I just grabbed her and just pulled her out to the grass.
KAGAN: The whole thing must have happened so quickly. Was it kind of like slow motion? S. BLAIR: No, it just happened that quick.
KAGAN: What was her reaction when she realized that someone was coming to her rescue?
S. BLAIR: She was happy. But she was crying at the same time.
KAGAN: She was crying?
Have you had a chance since she was taken to the hospital, to have a chance to talk to her and see how she's doing, and her have a chance to say thank you?
S. BLAIR: Yes, we talked to her this morning.
KAGAN: Dad, what did she have to say?
R. BLAIR: Just thank you, and that she appreciated it. And she was just real nice about it. And we're glad we did it.
KAGAN: You certainly did a great thing. And of course, a woman owes her life to you. Now that you look back and see what you did, have you had a chance to think, what was I thinking running into those flames and all that smoke?
R. BLAIR: I was telling my son about it today. But it was just something that you do. You know, I've got a daughter her age, and I would want the same thing done for my daughter.
KAGAN: I'm sure a lot of folks are calling you heroes. Any reaction to that?
R. BLAIR: No. Just normal people.
KAGAN: Just normal people. Well, a lot of folks watching tonight would say you definitely went above what is normal. And did an incredible act in saving one woman's life there along I-35. Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on rising to the occasion.
S. BLAIR: Thanks.
R. BLAIR: Thank you.
KAGAN: We appreciate that. That's Randy and Stephen Blair joining us this evening.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 19, 2003 - 19:56 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A weekend interstate accident must have seemed like hell in Oklahoma for one driver. She was trapped in a fire ball after fuel truck blew up on I-35, and the entire scene was caught on tape.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Help me!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep coming!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Help me, please!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: You heard the screams, what would do? A man and his son braved the flames to reach her when she got lost in this horrific scene. What would make people run toward a dangerous situation like this. Let's find out.
We have with us Randy Blair, and his son Stephen joining us from Oklahoma City to tell us about this incredible event and rescue. Thank you for being with us.
RANDY BLAIR, WOMAN'S RESCUER: Hello.
KAGAN: Dad, let's start with you. You see this scene taking place. You have to make that split-second decision to run in. How do you decide?
R. BLAIR: It was basically just instinct. Just to do it.
KAGAN: And Steve -- go ahead.
R. BLAIR: We didn't really think about it. We just did it.
KAGAN: Stephen, what was it like once you got in there once you got the woman?
STEPHEN BLAIR, WOMAN'S RESCUER: You couldn't really see anything. It was just smoky and sort of scary. As soon as I reached her, I just grabbed her and just pulled her out to the grass.
KAGAN: The whole thing must have happened so quickly. Was it kind of like slow motion? S. BLAIR: No, it just happened that quick.
KAGAN: What was her reaction when she realized that someone was coming to her rescue?
S. BLAIR: She was happy. But she was crying at the same time.
KAGAN: She was crying?
Have you had a chance since she was taken to the hospital, to have a chance to talk to her and see how she's doing, and her have a chance to say thank you?
S. BLAIR: Yes, we talked to her this morning.
KAGAN: Dad, what did she have to say?
R. BLAIR: Just thank you, and that she appreciated it. And she was just real nice about it. And we're glad we did it.
KAGAN: You certainly did a great thing. And of course, a woman owes her life to you. Now that you look back and see what you did, have you had a chance to think, what was I thinking running into those flames and all that smoke?
R. BLAIR: I was telling my son about it today. But it was just something that you do. You know, I've got a daughter her age, and I would want the same thing done for my daughter.
KAGAN: I'm sure a lot of folks are calling you heroes. Any reaction to that?
R. BLAIR: No. Just normal people.
KAGAN: Just normal people. Well, a lot of folks watching tonight would say you definitely went above what is normal. And did an incredible act in saving one woman's life there along I-35. Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on rising to the occasion.
S. BLAIR: Thanks.
R. BLAIR: Thank you.
KAGAN: We appreciate that. That's Randy and Stephen Blair joining us this evening.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
