Man Who Drove David Ortiz to Hospital Tells Harrowing Story of Ambulance Ride

The sports world was sent into limbo after it was reported on late Sunday night that Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz was hospitalized in his native Dominican Republic after suffering a gunshot wound to his lower back.

Big Papi was rushed to a local hospital where he underwent a procedure and has since then been transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital to undergo further tests.

In the fallout, however, we finally have the disturbing story of Eliezer Salvador, the longtime friend of Ortiz, who was operating the vehicle that transported the three-time World Series Champ to the hospital.

Salvador was close to Ortiz when the shooting took place and managed to help the former Red Sox star to his feet. His car was sandwiched between two others, so he had to hit both of them to make room and get out.

Prior to taking off, Ortiz was struggling to remain conscious but Salvador kept reassuring his old friend.

“I opened his shirt and said, ‘Look, it was just once, it came out, it was a clean shot,’” he said. “’You’re going to be fine, you’re not going to die.’

Papi was conscious for most of the "six-to-seven" minute ride but was severely weak by the time he arrived at the hospital. Per Salvador, Ortiz never cried out in pain. Rather, he kept questioning why someone would do this to him.

When they finally arrived at Centro de Medicina Avanzada Dr. Abel González, Salvador recanted helping to gently undress Ortiz so that nurses could immediately get to work.

Yeah, this one has endless chills running up and down our spines.

To call Eliezer Salvador a hero wouldn't even begin to describe his courageous actions. If not for him, we very well might not have seen Ortiz live through this unspeakable act of violence.