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CNN Live Today

After Bridge Collapse, Norman Barton Saved One of Victims

Aired May 28, 2002 - 10:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRIS OSBORN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk a man who has been in the river as the bridge collapsed and helped pull a survivor to safety. Norman Barton was competing in a bass fishing tournament when he saw what was happening and began to help one of the victims.

Norman Barton, thanks so much for joining us this morning.

You're sure welcome, Kris.

NORMAN BARTON, RESCUED MAN FROM RIVER: Well, my partner Randy Graham and I were actually heading toward the bridge at about 70 miles an hour, and got, you know, within 600 or 700 yards, and for some reason my vision focused on the bridge for just a second, and it just collapsed, and you know, a big wall of water and what looked like smoke. I'm sure it was dust and everything. And then kept seeing the big splashes at the foot of the bridge, and just did not realize that what it was until I saw a semi go over, and it was one car after another hitting the end of the bridge at 70 miles an hour. Nobody could see that the bridge was gone. That went on for almost five minutes, just one car after another.

And fortunately there was a bunch of fisherman in the tournament that were up and down the river there in that area. And a couple of friends of mine Kirk Washborne (ph) and Alton Wilfor (ph) and who now are my heroes, by the way, but they had enough foresight to pull out a flare gun and shoot at one of the semis headed toward the drop-off. You know, from where I was, it looked like Alton's (ph) a heck of a shot. It looked like he bounced it off the windshield, and that truck locked up and stopped with his front wheels hanging over the bridge, and then slammed in reverse and backed up.

And they ran in first. We had run back to the tournament headquarters to have the tournament director start notifying people, and Carl Woods, the tournament director was already in action. He was already on his cell phone calling everybody he could think of. Went back to the bridge, and by that time, Kirk and Alton (ph) had pulled Mr. Tidwell from the boat, but in the process of getting him in the boat, they had gotten swept up in the remaining part of bridge pier, and they were pinned there. They were hollering and screaming at us that there's a guy under the barge. We can't get to him, you know, we're hung up here.

We couldn't see the guy for a long time, and finally spotted him. And Randy Graham, my partner, actually ran his boat up under the barge, you know, and all that real swift water, and fortunately, we were able to get throwable cushion tied to a rope, and I threw it to Mr. Bilou (ph) and the shape he was in, it didn't look like he would be able to hold on to the rope or get to it or anything.

But at one point, you know I saw his hand go up above the water and he, you know, he kind of twirled the rope around his hand a couple of times, and then went back under, and the force of him hitting into that rope like took me in the water,but I got my feet braced and started pulling and got him, fortunately, to the boat, where I could get an arm and a handful of his clothes, and you know, was screaming at Randy to get us out from under this thing, you know, get us out of the barge.

And We backed up to a part that was, you know, reasonably clear of debris, And Mr. Bilou (ph), all he could say to us was, you know, somebody stop the cars, somebody stop them. He had seen them hit in front of him, and it hit on top of him. So we got him in the boat and got him back to the boat ramp where the emergency people, of course, by that time were starting to filter in. You know, things were happening pretty quick there at that point.

OSBORN: Mr. Barton, I understand you're acts of heroism included the strength to hold on to that rope and pull against the current. How were you able to do that?

BARTON: You know, some people asked me that yesterday. You know, I told them, if I hadn't had any arms, I would have used my teeth. At that point, you know, it was not something you consciously do; it was just one of those situations we were faced with. You know, I know the other guys were doing the same thing. But, you know, there was a reason why we were there. You know, there's a greater power than us, and we were just fortunate to be where we were at that time.

OSBORN: I also understand that you kept talking to the man you were rescuing while he was bleeding as a way of keeping him healthy and alive until other help could get there.

BARTON: Yes, you know, I've learned a lot from my little bother. He's an EMT and a firefighter by trade, and you know I get to listen to his all his horror stories about the things he has to do, and you know, One of the things I have always heard is keep them talking, don't let them pass out. And I knew this guy had been in that cold water and had been in shock and scared to death, and you know, was hurting real bad.

So I knew that once he got in the boat, he would relax a little bit, and I was afraid he might slip away from us, or slip unconscious there for a little bit. But fortunately, he didn't. He stayed awake, and you know, hours later, that's why you guys are talking to me. He remembered my name. And that's how my name got out everywhere, was from him.

OSBORN: Do you have any well wishes for the man you rescued, Mr. Barton?

BARTON: Yes, I've had a couple of conversations with him. You know, he called me that night, and he called me, again, yesterday as he was leaving the hospital, and I told his wife, and told him that as soon as he gets up to it, let's go fishing. Let's go fishing.

OSBORN: Thank out very much. Norman Barton, a man who dug deep and felt the call to help a fellow man, and wound up saving life. Appreciate your time and many appreciate your efforts.

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