Two Winnipeg emergency services workers got an unexpected call to action while vacationing in Daytona Florida last weekend.

Jamie Klassen, a firefighter, and his wife Dorie Kell, a paramedic were at the Daytona International Raceway watching the final lap of the Nationwide Cup when a major crash sent debris and car parts flying into the stands on Feb. 23.

“It was like nails on a chalkboard going 300 kilometres an hour -- a very eerie sound,” said Klassen.

Fans tried to take cover as pieces of a racecar flew into the stands.

Klassen said he saw people running from the crash site, but he and his wife ran toward it.

“People were grabbing their heads in disbelief, and the screams. We knew people were hurt,” said Klassen, who has been a firefighter and paramedic for over 10 years.

“So we were less than a hundred yards away, and we arrived there within seconds.”

The East Selkirk couple jumped into action, helping with injuries that ranged from minor cuts to people in critical condition.

Kell said she is used to arriving after an accident, not witnessing it as it is happening.

“The rush of the air in your face, the smell of smoke because the car is on fire, then noise and people screaming, it was like something out of a movie. It really was,” said Kell.

At least 30 people in the stands of the raceway were injured, two critically.

“It was just surreal because it took a few seconds to actually process what had just happened. Being able to process it quickly and then just kicking into paramedic mode,” said Kell.

“I have never experienced anything like that.”

The pair addressed about a dozen people before any other help arrived on the scene.

“You’re trying to help, and you have no equipment, and all you can do is try and calm people down,” said Kell.

No one was killed in the crash, and the next day the duo attended the Daytona 500 race.

The track and fence were repaired as if nothing had happened.

“We didn’t go anywhere near that fence when the cars were coming. It really opened our eyes,” said Klassen.

It was the first time the couple had seen a NASCAR event but said it won’t be their last.