Woman killed in fiery freak accident while pumping gas in Florida, troopers say

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – A woman was killed in a fire at a gas station Wednesday afternoon in Palm Harbor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The victim was putting gas in her car when another driver backed into the pump, causing it to overturn and trap the woman against her vehicle, troopers said.

FHP said that the exposed gasoline erupted in flames, and the fire was extinguished by crews from several different departments.

A good Samaritan, 34-year-old Jared Pierson, helped the victim’s two children fight the uncontrollable flames, and using the fire extinguisher located by the gas pumps, moved the children away from the fire, according to FHP.

The Clearwater man helped the boy, 11, and girl, 14, when they exited the vehicle to try and save their mother.

The woman died in the fire, officials said. Her name has not been released.