Teen girl uses 'superhuman strength' to lift burning truck off dad and save family

When Charlotte Heffelmire's dad was being crushed by a truck, the 5ft 6in student thought nothing of springing into action
Charlotte Heffelmire is being celebrated as a hero after she lifted a pick-up truck off her dad - and saved her family from a dangerous fire.

Dad Eric was working in the family garage on a GMC pick-up truck when the jack propping up the car slipped and pinned him to the ground, with leaking petrol instantly catching fire.

Fortunately, the 19-year-old high school student from Vienna in Virginia, US, was able to use momentarily incredible strength to free him before propane tanks caught alight.

The pole vaulter, who is just 5ft 6in and weighs around 8st 8lb, ran to the scene barefoot and leapt into action.

Read more: Watch four men muster the strength to lift a van to save tiny baby TRAPPED under wheel

Eric Heffelmire told NBC Washington : "We had a bunch of propane containers and they were cooking off - just fireballs."

NBC Washington

Super girl: Charlotte Heffelmire is just 5ft 6in and made the daring rescue in her bare feet

Then, after Charlotte arrived, he recalls: "I felt the weight shift, and I said, 'You almost got it,' and then it was just UGHHHHHHRRR, and suddenly I'm pulled out."

Seeing the fire danger, Charlotte quickly drove the truck on its three wheels away from the property and then sprayed the house with a garden hose until firefighters arrived.

NBC Washington

Lucky escape: Dad Eric was pinned under a truck when the jack supporting it slipped

Her quick-thinking allowed her grandmother and three-month-old niece to escape the home.

In recognition of the miracle escape on November 28, 2015, Charlotte was presented the Citizen Lifesaving Award by the Fairfax County fire department.

NBC Washington

Safe distance: After rescuing her dad, Charlotte drove the truck from the house on its remaining three wheels

Currently at the US Air Force Academy , she sustained a back injury which has so far kept her from returning, and also burned her feet.

She said: "If I can't do any of the military branches, then [I'll] probably just [do] intelligence or government work. Right now I'm just healing up and making sure the family is OK."