Arthur Richard Palecek helped to save Paul J. Germano, Jr., from burning, Pine Brook, New Jersey, November 7,1987. Germano, 23, was unconscious in the driver’s seat of his car following a highway accident in which flames erupted in the rear interior of the car. Driving nearby, Palecek, 31, general contractor, stopped at the scene. Joined by two other men, Palecek attempted to pull Germano out of the burning car through the opened driver’s door, but Germano’s safety belt hampered their efforts. Palecek then cut the safety belt, and he and the others pulled Germano out of the car and carried him to safety. About 30 seconds later, the car exploded and was engulfed by flame.
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