Arthur J. Staehle, Sr., 63, truck-driver, saved an indeterminate number of persons from a runaway truck, Allentown, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1955. While driving his trailer-truck on a heavily-traveled thoroughfare in a business and residential district, Staehle began ascending a hill which had a steep upgrade for 800 feet. The driveshaft assembly broke, the brakes failed to function, and the fully-loaded truck weighing 27 tons began coasting backwards, steadily gaining speed. Staehle stepped partly from the cab to the running-board and, glancing over his shoulder, steered the truck close to the curb. Although unable to see beyond the rear of the trailer, he guided the truck 600 feet down the hill and past homes adjoining the street. Attaining a speed of at least 30 .mp.h., the truck became increasingly hard to handle, the trailer veering sharply away from the curb. As Staehle guided the truck an additional 300 feet to a level section of the street, the trailer swung about and struck a utility pole. Staehle was thrown into the air and landed on his head on the pavement. He was knocked unconscious and rolled 15 feet. Running into a vacant lot, the truck jack-knifed and came to a stop without overturning. Staehle suffered head injuries and was disabled 12 weeks. 43622-4031
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