Authorities in Houston said a 5-year-old boy pulled his 2-year-old brother from burning big rig Friday morning after the truck crashed, killing their father.
KPRC-TV reported the father was driving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 45 when he lost control of the truck, ran off the road and crashed into a pillar. The truck then tipped and burst in flames.
The 5-year-old boy, who was ejected in the collision, rescued his brother from the wreckage, according to Houston Police Department Sgt. James Roque.
"He's a trooper," Roque said.
A witness ran to the scene and stayed with the children until authorities arrived.
The 2-year-old boy was transported to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston with severe burns. The boy's older brother was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Both children are expected to be survive, Roque said.
The 5-year-old boy told authorities the family was moving to Galveston, Texas, and that their mother was driving an RV ahead of the moving truck. Police haven't been able to contact the mother.
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Police said they're not sure if the boys were wearing seatbelts or in car seats at the time of the crash.
"The wreckage is just so horrific. It's just hard to tell," Roque said.
