Clemson Football Staffers Help Student Involved In Car Crash

The Clemson Tigers’ practice on Tuesday ended in a rather unexpected way when coaches, players and staff rushed to assist a student involved in a car accident near the team’s field.

Clemson car crash victim news

Coach Dabo Swinney was addressing the defending national champions when a crash happened on Perimeter Road. The car reportedly slid approximately 100 feet down the embankment along the side of the road and came to a stop by the Seneca River.

Clemson’s staff and players ran over to help the victim and even the team’s videographer — a military veteran — swam across the river to rescue the student, freshman Clary Miles.

Emergency services eventually arrived, and assistant Thomas Austin accompanied Miles to the hospital in an ambulance. Swinney visited Miles later on Tuesday evening.

“When we got to the edge of the water, I think our entire team was ready to jump in and help,” Swinney said. “I held them off to let those who were experienced in this area to go across.”

Miles reportedly works in Clemson’s football offices, and was a high school classmate of Swinney’s son Will.

“The accident became personal very quickly,” Swinney said. “I’ve known Clary since he was 8 years old. I’m just thankful we were out there and could get to him quickly and direct EMS to where he was. It might have been a while before anyone found him if we weren’t there.”

Miles’s mother Paula expressed gratitude for the team’s actions in a statement.

“I want to tell everyone how grateful we are to everyone associated with the Clemson football program that helped my son,” Paula Miles said. “I’m especially grateful to the trainers and managers and others who swam to help Clary and get him out of the car.”

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 27: Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney stands for the national anthem before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox on July 27, 2017 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)