A pregnant deer failed to survive a recent car crash, but her unborn fawn did, thanks to the quick thinking of the man who responded.

The City of Muskogee, Oklahoma, said in a news release that Animal Control Supervisor Phil Blair had received a call about a car versus deer collision, and he and his co-worker Jimmy Elliot responded.

Upon arrival, it was apparent that, with four broken legs, the doe was not going to make it and would need to be put down. However, after they’d alleviated the deer’s suffering, Elliot noticed there was movement in the deer’s stomach, a sign that she was pregnant. This caused Blair to jump into action.

He said, “I rushed to the truck, grabbed my gloves and a knife, and got it out. I knew it wouldn’t survive if I didn’t do something…

“At first, it struggled to breathe, and I feared it wouldn’t make it. II wiped it down and cleared its nose a bit, and then it began to squall. When it tried to stand up in my truck, I knew it was going to be alright.”

Without its mother, it’s going to need extra care, so it was taken to an animal rehab specialist, where it’s doing well. Thanks to Blair, it has a chance at life that it almost didn’t get.

Tera Shows, City of Muskogee spokesperson, said, “Phil is truly an asset to the City of Muskogee. It is clear that he is passionate about his work and I am truly impressed that he stepped up to this challenge in this way.”