VIDEO: A Ketchikan pastor recounted going door-to-door in an attempt to save others following Sunday’s deadly landslide in the Southeast Alaska town.
Moments earlier, McElroy was with his wife and five kids — including a newborn baby — at his house a few blocks away from his church.
“It was the afternoon; we were at the house. I was on my second cup of coffee after morning services, I think, about four o’clock, and the power went out,” McElroy said. “I looked out of our window and saw a power pole in front of us bend over.
He says he immediately threw on his Xtratuf boots and told his wife it was probably a car accident and he was going to check to help.
“So about that time, I see two firemen — two beautiful firemen — coming around the corner with chainsaws and crowbars,” McElroy said.
Firefighters had to bust a window and chainsaw their way through walls, but they were able to get Bill to safety.