NASH COUNTY, N.C. — Four little girls are recovering from a horrific accident along Highway 64 in Nash County Saturday.

Wendy Mayo and Brent Cone believe their daughters are alive today simply because of the heroic acts of complete strangers.

On Saturday, sisters Ashley and Natalie Cone along with their friends Rachel Bissette and Skye Russell, were trapped in their stepmother's burning car.

Johnston County sheriff's deputy, Gary Bridges and his brother, Ricky, saw the vehicle and put the flames out with extinguishers they happened to have in their vehicle.

Ricky used a pocket knife to cut Ashley out of her seatbelt and pulled her to safety.

Several drivers saw what was going on and sprang into action, pulling the other little girls to safety before the van exploded.

Ashley is expected to be released on Wednesday. Her sister, Natalie, is in critical condition. Rachel is in serious condition. The girls are being treated at UNC Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill. Skye Russell is in fair condition at Pitt Memorial in Greenville.

The woman driving the car that hit the girls, her name was Wanda Sanders she and her 12 year old son, Nicholas died.

UNC Childrens' hospital.