As witnesses drove by the scene of a Texas car accident yesterday, they likely saw something they will not soon forget. The person who was directing traffic around the damaged vehicles was a large man wearing a red suit trimmed with white fur, complete with black boots and a big shiny belt buckle. Yes, it was Santa Claus himself, and there are pictures to prove it.

According to police reports, Santa is actually a retired firefighter who arrived on the scene in the moments after the two-car crash on Interstate 635 near Coppell. The accident had caused one of the vehicles to start on fire, and Santa sprung into action. He pulled the man from the burning car, and not a moment too soon. The vehicle then exploded, making Santa a hero.

Santa then took control of the scene, directing traffic until the emergency responders arrived. And he left as quickly as he came, slipping into his car and driving away unnoticed, before local news teams could even get his name. Were it not for passing motorists snapping photos on their cell phones, no one might have even known that he was there.

The retired firefighter was later interviewed by a local news station, during which he said that he had been dressed as Santa while he delivered toys to needy families in the area. He assured the station's viewers that his brief foray into emergency rescue wouldn't delay his deliveries, however. "Santa won't be late this year, kids," he said. "Santa was just helping out when needed."

Source: New York Daily News, "'Santa Claus' pulls man from burning car in Texas," Larry Mcshane, Dec. 21, 2011