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From fiery crash, a green alliance is born
November 30th, 2009, 12:39 pm · 11 Comments · posted by Pat Brennan, science, environment editor
The scene sounds worthy of prime-time drama: a man trapped inside a burning car is pulled out by passers-by — just before the car is completely engulfed in flame. 
It really happened two years ago on Interstate 5 in south O.C. And now the man in the car, Timothy Nelligan, has formed a green business alliance with the man who helped save his life.
Nelligan, 34, will hold a grand opening Wednesday for a compressed natural gas refilling dispenser at a Shell Gas Station in San Juan Capistrano. He is president of Go Natural Gas, a company founded by Joshua Radwan — one of several men who helped pull Nelligan from the car.
“He gathered three or four guys together,” Nelligan said of Radwan. “They ended up using the butt end of a fire extinguisher to break the glass.”
They pulled Nelligan through his car window so hard that it tore both his rotator cuffs, he said, although he has no memory of the incident.
“The back seat hit me in the back of the head,” he said, after he was struck from behind by a driver who might have been doing 70 mph or more. “It knocked me out and split my head open. And then the car was immediately on fire.”
The driver, in fact, caused a five-car pileup, and the scene was chaos.
Nelligan, who says he also suffered burns but has fully recovered, got in touch with Radwan after the accident to thank him for saving his life.
Radwan attributed the rescue to God, Nelligan said.
“I read you’re an environmental engineer,” he recalled Radwan saying. “I’ve been praying for an environmental engineer.”
Radwan had founded the company a couple of years before, and wanted to open compressed natural gas dispensers throughout Southern California.
The two hope to open many more CNG dispensing pumps, in Rialto, Moreno Valley, perhaps even in Santa Ana or at John Wayne Airport.
The grand opening, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, is for invited guests only, but the dispenser has been drawing customers since Oct. 6, Nelligan said. Anyone who needs CNG fuel can use it; the Shell Station is at 28662 Camino Capistrano.
“Our goal is to make people aware that the fuel is available and viable,” Nelligan said. “We’re at $1.60 a gallon right now.”
(Photo of burning car taken by Joshua Radwan after he helped pull Timothy Nelligan out; photo of Radwan, left, and Nelligan at site of CNG dispenser courtesy Timothy Nelligan.)
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Wow! Karma works in amazing ways! Good luck, gentlemen!
Absolutely amazing. Thanks for the story.
GOOD LUCK TOO YOU ITS GREAT TO HEAR GOOD THINGS DO HAPPEN TO PEOPLE THAT HELP OTHERS,GOD BLESS ALL WHO HELPED THIS MAN, GOOD FOR YOU ALL TO HELP HIM ,MOST PEOPLE WOULD NOT PUT THERE LIVES ON THE LINE TO HELP SOMEONE THEY DONT KNOW, THIS SHOWS THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE, SO IF SOMEONE NEED HELP LIKE THIS I HOPE ALL OF YOU WOULD STOP TO HELP! THANKS GOOD LUCK TO ALL.
Nice story. Thanks.
I agee with Chad, it’s so nice to hear a story like this for a change instead of the ones about corporate greed and celebraties half dressed, etc
These stories give one hope that there are still good people in the world in spite of some who would have drove by saying to themselves: ‘someone else will take care of this!’
Good looking out.
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I’m don’t think this is a green thing, unless there’s government subsidies. If there’s government subsidies involved them I’m against this business and it’s underlying agenda. If there’s no government subsidies then I’m all for it.
We are continually thankfull that you are alive and safe. There never has been a dull moment in your life. Keep the angels looking out for you and do not use them up Love yy Mom and Dad
Well Done Gentleman !! God Works in Mysterious Ways and it’s up to
us to Connect the Mosaic Puzzle of Life……And You Both Did Just That:)
Youth is our Answer to the FUTURE OF THIS PLANET: When the Young Pay Attention and Move Forward with Projects such as this GNG
Go Natural Gas it warms my Senior Citizen Heart!
Gods Blessings to you Both……..Onward and Upward Gentleman!!
r.r.
went to college with tim. just heard this amazing story. the angels love you and i do too! big hugs friend! i’m so happy you are okay and wish you much success in this must needed natural gas venture!