Larchwood, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep says the heroic actions of an off-duty police officer last week saved the lives of six individuals involved in a two-vehicle accident West of Larchwood Thursday.

Lance Haugen of Glendive, Montanna ran a stop-sign on Beech Avenue, and t-boned the vehicle driven by Marvin Winkle of George.
Officer Ismael Small of Lennox happened upon the accident before any other agency could respond. He freed one occupant from Haugen’s overturned vehicle, and pulled four individuals from the Winkle vehicle – which was on fire. He supplied emergency medical care, and stayed on the scene to assist.

All six occupants of the two vehicles were taken to hospitals in Sioux Falls, one by air and the other five by ground ambulance.