CANTON (CBS) – A woman and a one-year-old boy were pulled from a heavily damaged car by Good Samaritans and firefighters after a major crash on Interstate 93 in Canton late Friday morning.

They were riding in a gray Honda in the northbound lanes when it was crushed in the middle of a chain-reaction crash involving a tractor-trailer, a van and a pickup-style truck.

Jean Paul LaPierre was among the first at the scene. He said the baby was deep in the mangled car, but could be heard crying.

LaPierre said another man arrived soon after and helped him free the injured child from his carseat and pull him from the car.

“Sometimes in life you’re called upon and you’ve just got to act,” said LaPierre. “I just kept thinking we’ve got to get that baby out and make sure both of them could breathe. It was something to be able to get that baby out of there.”

Good Samaritan recalls Canton rescue



LaPierre credits another man for helping him pry the baby out of the vehicle.

Once the baby was pulled from the car, LaPierre and others used crow bars to attempt to help the woman out.

She was conscious and concerned for the baby, LaPierre said.

“Her cries inspired you to do whatever you have to do to get that child out,” said LaPierre, who received several cuts and scratches during his rescue efforts.

Firefighters arrived soon after and took her from the car using the jaws of life.

The boy was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth.

A MedFlight rescue helicopter was called in and both sides of the highway were shut down briefly so it could land. The injured woman was rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

State Police said a trooper drove the ambulance so both EMTs could be free to treat him in the back of the vehicle. He is expected to be moved to Boston Children’s Hospital, according to police.

There’s still no word yet what caused the series of rear-end collisions of if anyone will be charged.

LaPierre said he hopes others will do the same if presented the opportunity to help with a rescue in the future.

“I hope that people can take from this is not to be afraid to help out your fellow man. I think that’s the only message I’ve got. Don’t be afraid to step in and do what you’ve got to do,” LaPierre said.