Dorr Township resident Tim Geers was honored recently by the Dorr Township Board with a Life Saver Award for his actions rescuing an unconscious man from a burning vehicle at the Dorr Twp. Library. The driver was taken to the hospital without serious injury and Geers was not injured after breaking a window to free the driver from the burning vehicle.DORR — Tom Bratsburg first met Tim Geers in 1989, when Geers helped build Bratsburg’s home in Dorr Township.
But it was their second meeting, at the scene of a recent car accident, that may have saved Bratsburg’s life. And Geers’ quick-thinking earned him a Life Saver Award from the Dorr Township Board.
One night earlier this month, Geers and his wife were watching television at their home when Geers heard a loud noise. He went outside to investigate and saw a vehicle had crashed into the Dorr Township Library’s electrical sign and caught fire.
Geers ran to the scene and saw the driver was still inside the vehicle. The doors were locked, so Geers took a patio stone and broke one of the car’s windows.
“There were flames in the front and the back,” Geers said. “It was filling with smoke. I just didn’t really think about it. You can’t just stand around and watch something like that happen. I had to do something.”
Other passersby helped Geers pull Bratsburg to safety.
Bratsburg, who said the crash was caused by a medical condition, was released from the hospital two days after his rescue.
He considers Geers a hero. “He did what was right at the time. I thanked him for taking action and not being afraid to do something to help. He could have been injured himself,” said Bratsburg.
“He (Geers) told me it was nothing — that I would have done the same thing if I were in his position. He’s probably right, but I’m glad he was there,” said Bratsburg, who was not cited for the crash.
Dorr Township Supervisor Tammy VanHaitsma said she’s proud there are people like Geers in the community. Hence, his award.
“We just really wanted to commend one of our citizens for going above and beyond in a dangerous situation. It’s an awesome thing that he did. This is what community is all about,” she said.
Geers, who works at Geers Brothers Builders in Dorr, said he’s a little overcome by the recognition.
“I think there’s a lot of attention being brought by this that’s not really necessary. Most people would have done the same thing if they were in my position,” he said.
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