Blackberry Smoke Members Save Family from Burning Car
Yet another reason to like one of America’s preeminent Southern Rock bands.
After recently finishing up a tour in California, frontman Charlie Starr and the rest of the Blackberry Smoke band decided to fly back to Atlanta ahead of the tour bus. But bassist Richard Turner decided to enjoy the long bus ride back across the country, and along with the lighting guy Chris “Thumper” Hathaway and bus driver Harry Wing, they happened up a burning car upside down on Interstate 10 in El Paso at roughly 2:00 a.m. Tuesday (4-19).
Driver Harry Wing immediately pulled the bus over to render aid, and Chris Turner and Richard Thumper also jumped in to help out.
“I thought we were stopping at a gas station or something,” Richard Turner tells The Boot. He was in the back of the bus watching television at the time. “Harry was off the bus first with a fire extinguisher, and Thumper was right behind him, and I was right behind him … I was on the driver’s side, pulling at the door, trying to get it open, and Thumper was on the passenger’s side ”¦ and he pulled three people out of that in the time it took me to figure out that I wasn’t gonna get the door open on the other side. And the whole time, the car was on fire, and Harry was wielding a small extinguisher on it.”
There was a man, a woman, and an 8 to 10-year-old girl in the orange Dodge Charger according to local reports. The accident eventually shut I-10 down completely so an investigation of the accident could be done. Bassist Richard Turner gives the credit to his road crew for the heroics. “If anything, Harry kept the car from burning everybody, and Thumper pulled three people out. If Harry hadn’t stopped, those people would be dead, I’m sure of it.”
Blackberry Smoke will be heading out on tour again in August with Gov’t Mule, as well as playing shows throughout May, June, and July. Check tour dates.
April 22, 2016 @ 9:48 am
We don’t pay you to save people, we pay you for music! You should’ve done nothing then sing about it, that’s your job!
What’s wrong with you Harry, Chris, and Richard? Why can’t you respect the want to be dead?
Jackass! This isn’t funny! Review an album that I will skip because I don’t like the name of it!
They just wanted to burn, burn, burn in a ring of fire, so why did you interfere and NOT be PLAYING MUSIC! You know, YOUR FUCKING JOB!
So instead of having firefighters save someone in a fiery car crash, some people whose JOB is to PLAY MUSIC. Thanks Obama.
Why can’t those selfish bastards in the car realize Prince just died yesterday?
Yadda yadda yadda Bullshit yadda yadda yadda TMZ yadda yadda yadda Comedic Timing yoda yoda yoda Funny, This Is Not.
April 22, 2016 @ 10:05 am
Ermahgerhd I know right!!! I can’t stand it when an album has a name that I don’t like, then I have to hate the music by point of principle!
And Obama probably had a beef with Prince for supporting some bill that I’ve never heard about and that’s why Prince is gone, It’s all part of a Mafia scheme orchestrated by Dr. Doom.
Blah blah CMT blah blah may the force be with you
Ridiculous this comment is.
April 22, 2016 @ 10:24 am
No, young Padawan, this is all part of a HYDRA scheme orchestrated by Red Skull, AKA Blake “Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Red Redneck” Shelton. I’m on your side!
April 23, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
Your an as whole I like blackberry smoke they did a good thing
April 23, 2016 @ 2:49 pm
I’m pretty sure he was being sarcastic Mary.
April 22, 2016 @ 9:58 am
An orange Dodge Charger? Did Blackberry Smoke rescue the Dukes? Looks like they finally found a shortcut the ol’ General couldn’t handle.
In all seriousness though, good on them. Blackberry Smoke has always come across as A+ dudes to me and this confirms it. I’ve seen them live a few times and always come away thinking they were just real guys. Very cool story.
April 22, 2016 @ 10:02 am
Amen! Lord be praised!!!!!!!
April 22, 2016 @ 10:36 am
Good info Trigg, I love me some Smoke!
April 22, 2016 @ 11:24 am
In a weird cosmic twist, the fire had started when an obsolete RIM PDA overheated, creating . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . . . . Blackberry Smoke!!!!!!!
Now that’s a funny comment–unlike your ramblings above, Jackass.
April 22, 2016 @ 12:09 pm
I try to see BBS every time they come around.
Glad they get some positive press from this.
I’m lined up to see them twice this summer.. Once with Govt Mule and then with 3 doors down.
Another band that has the material, but gets no air play or radio support at all.
April 22, 2016 @ 4:57 pm
Seen them twice, Oh my, your in for a Treat!
April 22, 2016 @ 4:56 pm
Blackberry Smoke is the Best! I bet if yesterday a** had wreck. He’d Wish in one hand ; sh*t in other .If passing car went by him waiting on EMT. I’ll TESTIFY to end of time. These are genuine Southern gentlemen first. , then musciains. True Georgia GEMS who should be applauded & Respected…Their true talents are musicians but family first.Your a Lucky Soul to have seen or met. Been a fan /family/Love each & every song! We all our ” Living in the Song!” I’m proud they represent the best damn band I’ve heard since 70s.peace.
April 23, 2016 @ 8:35 am
It takes a lot of courage to do what they did. Car could have exploded at any time.
Hope they get a medal for this.
Their tour schedule is insane. man are they hard working.