Nationwide — Brian Jackson, an African American man from Riverside, California, is recovering from serious injuries after trying to help a pregnant woman escape a burning apartment complex. He underwent emergency surgery and now faces the possibility of losing both legs, followed by months of medical treatment and physical therapy.
The fire started when several rechargeable batteries caught fire inside the apartment complex where Jackson was visiting a friend. He said one of the batteries suddenly exploded, and flames quickly spread through the building. As smoke filled the complex, residents rushed to get outside while firefighters and other first responders responded to the emergency, according to ABC News.
During the chaos, Jackson noticed a pregnant woman preparing to jump from a window. He said he stopped her because the window was too high and a jump could have killed her. When she told him she did not know how else to escape, he decided to help her climb down instead of leaving her behind.
Jackson told the woman he would go first and then help her reach safety. He had started lowering himself when another explosion occurred and knocked him away from the building. First responders later got the woman to safety, while Jackson and several other people were taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment.
After waking up from the emergency surgery, Jackson’s first concern was the pregnant woman and her unborn baby. His stepdaughter, Maia Gutierrez, said, “The first thing that he was concerned about was not himself. He wanted to know if the mother and baby were OK.” Maia and her sister, Tehani Gutierrez, have stayed by his side during his recovery. Jackson does not describe himself as a hero, saying he was simply trying to help someone who was in danger.
The injuries have left Jackson facing more treatment and rehabilitation, while doctors have warned that he could lose both legs. His daughters created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical and recovery costs. The fundraiser has raised more than $23,000 so far, with the family saying the money will support his care and physical therapy as he works toward recovery.