Chapin nurse who rescued trucker from fiery wreck receives Carnegie recognition

A Chapin man who helps people every day in his role as a nurse went beyond the call of duty in May of 2015, and he received recognition from a national institution for his heroic acts.

Kelly Winters, a senior charge nurse at Providence Hospital, was one of 23 civilians who received Carnegie Medals for extraordinary heroism recently.

The medals are given to those who risk their lives “to an extraordinary degree” while attempting or saving the lives of others.

Winters was on his way to Columbia to work at Providence Hospital May 27, 2015 when he came across a fiery 10-vehicle collision on Interstate 26 near St. Andrews.

Winters, a former paramedic and Navy and civilian firefighter, ran to a tractor-trailer that had burst into flames and turned on its side atop a concrete barrier. The rig was hauling 8,500 gallons of gasoline, which had spilled during the wreck.

Trucker Leslie C. Miller was trapped inside the driver’s seat and screamed for help. Winters climbed on top of the tractor and grabbed Miller through an open window. When Miller would not budge, Winters then kicked in the windshield and Miller was able to crawl out.

Winters and another man led her to safety before flames completely engulfed the rig, completely destroying them.

Miller was hospitalized afterward for injuries, including a minor burn.

During his rescue, Winters suffered lacerations on his arms.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has recognized 9,868 heroes since 1904. Winters was one of only two people recognized from the Southeast this year.

Each person awarded or their survivor will receive a financial grant.

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 9:24 AM with the headline "Chapin nurse who rescued trucker from fiery wreck receives Carnegie recognition."