Georgia high school football player saves teen girl from burning car

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A Georgia high school football star is being hailed as a hero after he pulled another student out of a burning car.

Lowndes County teen Brock Bailey was given the Hero of the Heart award Monday from the school board after he saved the Valdosta High School senior last month. Bailey is a junior at Lowndes County High School and plays on the football team.

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WCTV reports that Lizzie Eldridge was on her way to work around 11 a.m. August 29 when her power steering failed. Eldridge told WCTV that she panicked and pressed the gas instead of the brake and crashed into a utility pole.

“I unbuckled my seatbelt and tried to open my door, but I could not get out,” Eldridge told WCTV. “And I couldn’t go through the passenger side because it was shattered.”

Baily was working on a shed nearby with a friend. When they heard the crash, they ran to the scene and pulled Eldridge out of the vehicle moments before it caught fire.

“It was a scary feeling. There was definitely a lot of adrenaline there, a little bit of panic. But once she was out and safe, it was a good feeling,” Bailey told WFTC. “I stayed with her and her mom the whole time trying to, you know, just tell her everything’s gonna be all right.”

On Monday, both students' families were there as Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Wes Taylor recognized Bailey.

“There are still positive things in this world, and I think that’s what the award really showcases,” Bailey told WFTC.

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