Nelson Thomas, who was the victim of a car accident that led to the heroic rescue of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver KJ Osborn and three others, thanked them in a tweet Tuesday.
Thomas posted several photos of his gruesome injuries on social media and thanked everyone who pulled him out of a burning car in Austin, Texas.
«I was involved in a car accident. I want to thank kJ: @kj_osborn_ @nfl @vikings for being on the scene and filming my rescue. I will be forever grateful to Abdulmejied Hairedin: @_abdu6435, Rita: @Afri_qveen and Arthur: @Arthur_1er.
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From left, Nelson Thomas, Hunter Barfield and Tony Raines attend The Challenge XXX: Ultimate Fan Experience Q & A and Reception at The Roxy Hotel on July 17, 2017 in New York City. (Lars Niki/Getty Images for MTV)
«For pulling me out of a burning vehicle, risking their own lives to save mine. Words cannot explain how grateful I am to be alive. God is truly great and he has you in his hands no matter who you are.» I’m in a good mood and getting stronger.
«This is going to be a long road to recovery, but to my fans, friends and family, please keep me in your prayers.»
Thomas was a former contestant on MTV’s «The Challenge» and was in the burning vehicle when Osborn and his Uber driver, Abdulmejied, stopped to see if they could help. They joined Rita and Arthur, who were also on the scene.
Osborn explained to «Fox & Friends» last week what was going on.
VIKINGS’ KJ OSBORN RECALLS HEROIC EFFORT TO SAVE A MAN FROM A BURNING CAR: ‘DEFINITELY A CRAZY SITUATION’
Minnesota Vikings receiver KJ Osborn, right, takes a photo with three others who helped him save a man from a burning vehicle in Austin, Texas on March 5, 2023. (@KJ_Osborn/Twitter)
A burning vehicle following a car crash in Austin, Texas on March 5, 2023. (@KJ_Osborn/Twitter)
«At first, I started running towards the fire with Abdul and then I started thinking for a second. This car could explode. We’re not sure what could happen to this vehicle. But my Uber driver, Abdul, we went straight to the car, opened the passenger door,» Osborn explained. «I was seeing if the driver was okay. We’re trying to see if he was alive and moving and stuff like that. And eventually we’re moving toward the car and moving away from the car because we don’t know if it would be possible.» he bursts into more flames.
«Eventually, the driver was able to muster enough strength to move his upper body into the passenger seat so he could reach out and call for help. And that’s when we all got down and were able to get him out.» But we were still close to the car and we didn’t know if it was going to explode. I was able to pick him up and we were able to get him 10-15 yards and we were able to get him out of there. situation.
Aftermath of a burning car that was in an accident in Austin, Texas on March 5, 2023 (@KJ_Osborn/Twitter)
«Definitely a crazy situation. Like I said in my post, God is real and timing was real for everything. I never would have been in Austin, Texas if my coach hadn’t moved here. I missed my first Uber and was on my second Uber The timing was crazy. Happy to have been there.»
Osborn cited his dream of joining the Secret Service or the FBI as the reason he jumped into action in the first place. He said the bravery and courage of those around him strengthened his resolve at the time.
KJ Osborn, number 17 of the Minnesota Vikings, looks on before a game against the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at US Bank Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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«Football didn’t matter then,» he said. «We were trying to save a man’s life.»