Last-Second Move Saves Life of 25-Year-Old Graham Pollock

Martin Mares was on his way to paintball when a plane came crashing down right over his head. In a split-second decision that saved 25-year-old pilot Graham Pollock’s life, Mares immediately moved in to help.

The accident occurred just after 12:00 pm on August 25. The aircraft involved was a Pitts S-1, N42JF, that had just refueled and taken off from California’s Santa Paula Airport (SZP). Witnesses reported hearing two popping sounds during the initial climb out, then noticing the aircraft losing engine power shortly after entering the downwind. The S-1, with just the pilot on board, crashed into an irrigation storage facility only a third of a mile from the runway.

Mares was on Highway 126 when he heard and saw the accident.

"I actually missed the exit on the 126," he commented. "I had to turn back around. From the time I turned around, as soon as I was crossing a bridge, that's when the plane went over my truck. It was really loud, and it was pretty low...maybe 300 feet. He was going really fast, and I just heard the explosion, and looked over to my left, and sure enough it was in flames."

After getting off the highway and driving to the flames, Mares was met by 40-year-old Pacheco and his son. The pair had also seen the crash and, knowing that they had a fire extinguisher, were determined to help.

There was only one issue: the aircraft was surrounded by barbed wire fences. Mares went back to his truck to get his welder jacket, which he was able to lay over the wire and crawl over. The other two assisted in stretching out the wires to prevent him from getting stuck. Pacheco then passed his fire extinguisher to Mares, who sprinted 80 yards to the still-burning pilot.

Mares extinguished Pollock’s clothes and removed his burning shoes before dragging him away from the flames. Help arrived shortly after, flying the pilot to a local hospital and then to a burn unit in Los Angeles for treatment.

"It feels good," Mares expressed. "More than anything, Graham saved his life, by finding the strength to pull himself out of that wreckage. I was just a guy that [was] there to help him on the way."

FMI: www.santapaulaairport.com