Butler Twp. has reception for firefighters who saved Ryan Davidson
BUTLER TWP — Ryan Davidson has lived in Butler Township for most of his life because of the people he shares the community with.
Thanks to the actions of Scott Frederick, the township’s public safety director, and township police officers Rachel Dovidio and William Dobson, he is able to continue living his life in Butler Township after almost losing it Nov. 30.
“It’s really hard to thank somebody that saved your life, so I just want to say ‘thank you,’” Davidson said. “It’s an emotional day for me to be here today. I’m just really proud to be a Butler Township resident, and this is why I’ve been here most of my life, because of people like this.”
Butler Township hosted a reception Monday for Frederick, Dovidio and Dobson, who saved Davidson from his burning vehicle Nov. 30 on Fairground Hill Road.
The Honda CR-V driven by Davidson, 36, would have been fully engulfed in flames in about 30 seconds, if not for the three first responders who pulled him from the burning SUV.
Davidson’s vehicle accelerated into a natural gas substation on the north side of Fairground Hill Road around 1 p.m., then crossed the road and struck an embankment on the south side. At some point, the vehicle’s front end caught fire.
Frederick arrived at the scene, opened the door of the burning SUV and cut the seat belt over the unconscious Davidson before Dovidio and Dobson rushed in and pulled him from the SUV.
In an address to the attendees Monday, Frederick said that he and the officers were just doing their jobs, and that it took several other responders who helped make the rescue a success. He included firefighters with the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, Butler Bureau of Fire, Butler Bureau of Police, Butler Ambulance Service, LifeFlight officers, and the doctors and nurses from West Penn Hospital.
“Every person that I named was part of the continuum of care that led to the successful outcome,” Frederick said.
John Hays, chief of the Butler Township Police Department, said he couldn’t be more proud of his officers and Frederick for diving head first into a perilous situation to help someone in danger.
“I have been here 40-some years and have never been in a situation like that,” Hays said. “I think they kind of uphold the tradition of our department.”
Frederick, Dovidio and Dobson also received recognition from state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, Butler County Commission Chairwoman Leslie Osche, and officials from Allegheny Health Network LifeFlight.
Davidson’s mother, Patty Zabicki, ended the speeches by thanking everyone who had sent her and her son well wishes, and teared up as she thanked the first responders who were there Nov. 30.
“I wouldn’t have my son today if it wasn’t for all of you,” Zabicki said.
A GoFundMe account called “Fund for Ryan Davidson” was set up after the accident to help with Davidson’s medical expenses and to pay his monthly mortgage, as he will be recovering for several months. The account has received donations from more than 360 people, raising $22,200 toward its goal of $25,000 to date, which expanded from $10,000 after early success.
