A family of four was rescued from their burning vehicle on Saturday by Patriot Guard Riders as they were escorting the body of a serviceman killed in Afghanistan, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said.

According to police, at 10:10 a.m. John Buibish, 76, of Grovertown, Ind., was westbound on U.S. Highway 30, in the area of C.R. 325E in Washington Township, when he rear ended a second vehicle driven by Ana Pina, 35, of South Bend. Pina’s 2000 Jeep Cherokee immediately burst into flames and crossed the median, coming to rest partially in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 30.

Porter County Sgt. Matt Edwards—who was leading the procession from the Porter County Regional Airport, en route for Hamlet, Ind.—saw the crash occur in his rear view mirror, police said, and responded to the scene, accompanied by Indiana State Police Cpl. Dan Becker, a Patriot Guard Rider.

Edwards and Becker were able to pull all four occupants of Pina’s Jeep to safety, although Pina and her 6-year-old twin daughter “suffered severe injuries and burns,” police said. They were transported to Porter hospital, then airlifted to a Chicago area hospital.

Pina’s mother and her 6-year-old twin son were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart for treatment of “minor injuries,” police said.

Buibish sustained a bloody nose after his airbag deployed, police added.

Edwards was treated for smoke inhalation at Porter hospital and released, while Becker was treated at St. Mary’s for smoke inhalation and minor burns. Becker was kept overnight for observation, police said.

“There were several other Patriot Guard Rider rescuers that were treated at the hospital for minor burns, injuries, and smoke inhalation from the rescue efforts,” police said.

Responding to the scene were the ISP, Valparaiso Police, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Police, and the Valparaiso and Washington Township fire departments.

Posted 1/16/2012