Metal band rescues pair from flaming wreck on way home from gig
Couple seriously injured, pulled from car by musicians from band called 'Utility Provider'
Two members of a metal band who were driving home from a gig saw a car spin out of control, hit a post and explode, so they jumped in to rescue the occupants — after all, their band is serendipitously named Utility Provider.
"We were singing Tragically Hip at the top of our lungs in the fast lane after a great show and I see a car coming up behind me and it was coming really fast. He blew by us," said Dan Wakefield, the band's bassist.
"We could feel the wind from his car push my car out of the way and he couldn't re-correct and spun out in front of us and hit a street lamp and the car exploded.
"I dodged out of the way of the lamp pole and shrapnel that came down and went through this big cloud of smoke," said Wakefield, who was the band's designated driver that night.
When the smoke cleared they saw the car tumble down the Trans-Canada Highway median, then burst into flames in Surrey, B.C.
There was a bunch of booms, bangs and flames ... it was the craziest night of my life.- Drummer Chris Lang, Utility Provider
Adrenaline-fuelled drummer Chris Lang ran to the car to help.
He says he noticed the crumpled driver-side door was "miraculously" open.
He pried it open further to let the "bloodied and shaken" young couple escape the dangerous fiery wreck.
"I had to help them out but they actually got on their feet ... they collapsed 20 feet away," said Lang.
"It was the craziest night of my life ... there was a bunch of booms, bangs and flames. It would have unfortunately took [sic] their lives. Quite an inferno."
Bystanders are convinced the pair would have died in the car which was engulfed in flames within minutes before it was extinguished around 2 a.m. PT.
"It was about a 15-foot inferno," said witness Cody Wright, who pulled over after he saw the crash.
"I was in shock, I had never seen such a huge explosion at all."
The survivors were taken to hospital.
"They were actually in pretty good shape for how the car looked ... if it were a movie it would have taken six months of work with thousands of people to make that shot," said Wakefield, who is eager to know how the pair is doing.
"They were beat up, but they literally walked away from that," said Wakefield, who marvelled at his band mate's bravery, as he screamed to the 911 operator.
"I honestly thought it was going to be [blown] to bits and pieces. Chris has been drinking so he was a little more brave than me ... he was right in there!" said Wakefield.
The injured young woman and man, estimated by witnesses to be in their 20s, were taken to hospital. Police say their injuries are serious. Rescuers were not hurt.
As an aside — the band is looking for a vocalist, if anybody wants to be part of a progressive metal band, with hardcore heart.
