Carter H. Williams rescued Granville Steptoe, Robert L. Strange, and Walter T. Snead, and attempted to rescue Leaon M. Banks from burning, Bedford, Virginia, May 23, 1970. At night a pickup truck traveling along a highway toppled onto its side; and spilled gasoline caught fire. Williams, 29, deputy sheriff, witnessed the accident and saw Steptoe, 48, laborer, attempting to get out through the window of the cab, in which flames had appeared. Williams climbed onto the truck’s upturned side, aided Steptoe out, and ran with him from the burning vehicle. Learning that three others were in the cab, Williams returned to the truck, where flames then were rising through the window. He kicked out the windshield; and Strange, 19, laborer, tumbled through the opening. Williams dragged Strange away and then ran back to the windshield. He reached into the cab and grasped Snead, 20, school bus driver. Williams pulled Snead from the cab, dragged him away, and again returned to the windshield. By that time flames were rising from the back of the cab and issuing from the top of the windshield opening. Williams extended his hands into the cab and attempted to grasp Leaon, 16, high-school student. His efforts to remove Leaon were futile; and Williams, who had sustained burns to his hands, was forced to retreat from the increasing flames. Leaon died; but Williams and the others who had suffered burns recovered.
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