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MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - What started arsenic a emblematic workday successful the almond orchards adjacent Avenue 8 and Road 23 1/2 successful Madera County turned into a life-saving ngo for two farmworkers who are present being celebrated arsenic section heroes.
In September, Angel Zarco and Carlos Perea Romero were moving connected a broken-down tractor successful the orchards erstwhile they saw thing alarming—a schoolhouse autobus carrying implicit 15 simple students had caught fire conscionable down the road.
“We got a telephone from my dad, who’s our supervisor," Zarco said. "He said the tractor isn’t working—can you spell help?”
That unexpected instrumentality nonaccomplishment placed the 2 men wrong yards of the burning bus, conscionable arsenic it stalled and began emitting heavy achromatic smoke.
At first, the brace didn’t deliberation overmuch of the stopped schoolhouse bus, but erstwhile they saw fume pouring out, they rushed into enactment without hesitation.
“Honestly, we conscionable saw the occurrence and knew we had to get the kids out. Our main thought was: marque definite they’re safe,” Zarco said.
Perea Romero joined Zarco successful boarding the burning vehicle, checking each spot to guarantee nary kid had been near behind.
“We got connected the autobus conscionable to marque sure. I told him, ‘Let’s marque definite nary 1 other is inside,’” Romero said.
They rapidly led the children disconnected the autobus to safety, but the ordeal wasn’t over. Flames engulfed the vehicle, causing large popping noises that frightened the children adjacent more.
“They were terrified," Romero said. “Some of the kids were hiding down the almond trees. They didn’t cognize wherever to go.”
On Tuesday, the Madera County Board of Supervisors and CAL FIRE honored Zarco and Perea Romero for their speedy reasoning and courageous response.
Larry Pendarvis, CAL FIRE Division Chief, presented the commendation, saying:
“I would similar to admit and convey some of you connected behalf of Madera County Fire and CAL FIRE for your work supra self. The situational consciousness and fortitude you showed to assistance these young children successful a clip of request was extraordinary.”
Zarco humbly reflected connected the moment, crediting religion and fate.
“Our brag told us, ‘God enactment you successful that spot for a reason.’ And possibly it was truthful we could assistance retired the kids and assistance the community,” helium said.
Thanks to their bravery, each of the children made it retired safely that day—shaken, but unharmed. And acknowledgment to their story, a assemblage present knows 2 section Madera residents who became heroes.
