John Cooper, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation, center, presented recognitions to four ALDOT employees who assisted following a fiery crash near the Alabama welcome center in Ardmore on July 26. From left are Michael Cain, Vickie McGee, John McKinney and Paul Pointer.

MONTGOMERY — Four Alabama Department of Transportation employees were recognized by the department Thursday for their “quick and selfless response during a fiery tractor-trailer crash,” according to a press release.

The crash occurred July 26 on Interstate 65 near the Alabama welcome center in Ardmore. The southbound truck crashed into a median guardrail and caught fire.

All four ALDOT employees are also staff members at the Alabama welcome center. John McKinney and Michael Cain used a fire extinguisher to break the passenger side window and pull the trapped driver from the cab as flames engulfed the vehicle. Vickie McGee and Paul Pointer assisted with traffic control until law enforcement arrived on scene.

“It burned so quickly, and these guys moved so fast to get him out of there. Had they not, that guy would have burned up,” said McGee, welcome center supervisor. “I’m very proud of these guys.”

All four employees were recognized as ALDOT’s employees of the quarter for the north region. ALDOT Director John Cooper praised them for their quick reaction.

McGee also expressed gratitude to several unidentified passersby who stopped to assist.

The welcome center staff also took home the award for Outstanding Welcome Center for Summer 2018.