17-year-old Californian firefighter suffers severe third-degree burns after tragic training accident
America Salmeron, a trainee firefighter, was trapped in a burning dune buggy and sustained horrific 3rd degree burns during an exercise
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: In a terrifying training accident, a trainee firefighter was trapped in a burning dune buggy and sustained horrific burns to more than half of her body.
America Salmeron, 17, narrowly avoided getting burnt to death after the car she was riding in overturned and caught fire last weekend.
At the time of the incident, Salmeron was engaged in a training exercise outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.
America Salmeron suffers 51% burns on her body
However, she was left with excruciating burns covering more than 51% of her body. The Californian teen managed to drag herself out of the burning wreckage before the buggy exploded, as reported by Daily Mail.
Salmeron told KTLA5, "I saw death in front of my eyes, and I didn't know what to do, but I told myself that if I don't get myself out of here, no one will."
The native of Pasadena, who already serves as the coordinator of her local fire department's Explorer Program, had set her sights on obtaining a sponsored cadet position at the Verdugo Fire Academy. She was due to start EMT training and an AS degree in fire science.
America Salmeron says she's 'trying to move forward and stay positive'
Since Salmeron is still in the hospital, recovering from multiple surgeries, her plans have been put on hold. She said, "The situation that I'm currently in is very hard, But overall, I'm just trying to move forward and stay positive."
The teen is determined to finish her studies despite her wounds and wants to encourage other girls to pursue careers as firefighters. She said, "I see this situation as a test, a test that God put me through, saying, 'You want to join the fire service? Well, let me put you through fire."
She added, "Let me see if you still want to do it. Look, I managed to escape and I'm still wanting to become a firefighter."
GoFundMe page has been setup for America Salmeron
The Pasadena Fire Department set up a GoFundMe page to help with the teen's recovery, and more than $30,000 has already been raised for medical expenses.
Salmeron is "everything a strong firefighter should be: kind, caring, empathetic, driven to succeed" and with "a willingness to never quit," states Pasadena Fire Department Captain Arno Avakian.
According to him, she was a "standout" trainee and was headed for a career as a skilled firefighter.
