A terrifying automotive accident in New Hampshire nearly turned into a tragedy this week when a popular comedian became trapped inside a burning electric vehicle. Eugene Mirman, best known for voicing Gene Belcher on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries following a fiery crash at a high-speed toll plaza.
Mirman was rescued from the wreckage by a passing motorcade that just so happened to be carrying the state’s highest-ranking official.
The Lucid Gravity Crash
The incident took place just before noon on Tuesday. Authorities report that Mirman was driving his Lucid Gravity SUV north on the F.E. Everett Turnpike when he lost control and violently collided with the concrete barriers of the Bedford Toll Plaza.
The heavy impact caused the luxury electric vehicle to burst into flames. A number of those driving past stopped to help and immediately dialed 911, reporting to dispatchers that the EV was engulfed in a fire and that the driver was pinned inside the cabin.
The Governor Stepped In to Help
While local fire and rescue units were scrambling to respond to the 911 calls, a VIP motorcade happened to be passing through the exact same stretch of highway. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte and her armed security detail saw the wreckage and immediately pulled over to intervene.
With the fire slowly consuming the SUV, members of the governor’s protective detail and two other brave bystanders managed to drag Mirman to safety through one of the vehicle’s shattered windows. According to statements from the New Hampshire State Police via LA Times, Governor Ayotte personally grabbed a fire extinguisher to help manage the flames while her detail rescued the actor.
“Certainly, their actions were heroic in what they did,” said State Police Col. Mark Hall when discussing the rescue. “Without hesitation, they put themselves in danger to render aid to someone who was in need of it.”
By the time first responders secured the site, video footage showed the Lucid Gravity completely destroyed by the intense fire. Mirman was loaded into an ambulance and transported to a regional trauma center for treatment of serious injuries sustained during the crash.
On Wednesday, Mirman’s representation provided an optimistic update on the 50-year-old actor’s condition. Agent Jay Glassner confirmed that the comedian is currently “on the mend” following the scary moment.
“He wants to thank the bystanders, state police, first responders and hospital staff who saved him,” Glassner said in his public statement, before asking for a level of privacy for the family involved.
The reason for the crash has currently unknown, but with a full investigation now starting, further details may be on their way.
