Ex-NYPD cop from LI in fiery car crash with family

Thomas Gillan, a retired New York City police officer, has experienced a lot of horrific scenes, especially working in the Emergency Services Unit.

But when it came to rescuing his wife and three young sons from their burning sport utility vehicle Sunday night, Gillan, 39, of Long Beach, was terrified.

"I'm used to that kind of stuff," he said Monday, "except when it comes to your own."

The Gillan family was driving along Park Avenue in Long Beach after spending the day in Manhattan when, about 6:30 p.m., a silver Kia sedan hit them from behind, he said.

The Kia went under Gillan's Chevrolet Tahoe and flames began to rise from both vehicles, he said.

"I told my wife to get out of the car," he said. "As soon as it hit us . . . you just saw flames coming out of the back of the car."

Their son Jonathan, 10, was asleep in the back, and Gillan went to unbuckle him. Good Samaritans nearby helped the other two children, Josh, 22 months, and Thomas, 8, out of the SUV.

Bystanders also prevented the three young men in the Kia from getting away, Gillan said. "These guys ran out of the car knowing there were kids in the car and there was a fire," he said. "The Good Samaritans pointed them out."

Gillan, who responded to the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and was entering the North Tower just as the South Tower started to come down, said Sunday's ordeal reminded him of the kindness of strangers.

"I think people are unbelievable," he said. "Generally, people are good."

A Long Beach police officer said Monday night there was a crash Sunday night that resulted in a fire, but he could not provide details about any arrests.

Gillan said his wife, Tamar, and their sons were doing well Monday despite being "shaken up with back pains."