Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WARWICK, R.I. - - On October 28 2008 at 1:42 a.m., Melissa Paiva, 31, of Coventry, was riding on Centerville Road at the off ramp to Route 95 when she saw a car in the opposite lane go off the road and hit a light post. Paiva saw flames coming from the car and ran to it.

She tried the passenger side -- but could not open the door -- and then managed to open the rear-passenger side door. Tiffany Cunha, 22, of Harding Road in Warwick, was inside suffering from leg injuries. She told Paiva she could not feel her legs, according to Major Joseph H. Tavares of the Warwick Police.

As smoke filled the car, Paiva pulled Cunha to the back seat and then out of the car. She and another passerby managed to pull Cunha away from the car before it became completely engulfed in flames.

Warwick Police Department commended Paiva for her heroic efforts Monday, during a police promotion ceremony held at in Council Chambers.

"Had she not taken those step she did... Without regards to her own safety she was able to pull this woman out. We all tipped our hats off to her. It was nice to commend this citizen for a job well done," Tavares said.

 Tags  coventry crash rescue police commendation Warwick

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