Christopher Duplessis helped to rescue Edward C. W. Romney from burning, Gorham, New Hampshire, June 22, 2001. Unconscious and secured by safety restraints, Romney, 37, remained in his racecar after an accident in which the vehicle left the racecourse, struck a tree, and caught fire. A course volunteer, Christopher, 14, student, was stationed nearby and with his father ran to the scene, where they found the car almost fully aflame. As Christopher’s father used a fire extinguisher against the flames, Christopher approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, reached through the opened door, and grasped Romney, who had been partially aflame. As Romney was still secured by his wrist straps, Christopher pulled to free him. He removed Romney from the car, then was joined by his father in dragging Romney farther away. Romney required hospital treatment for second-degree burns to his right arm, right leg, and face, and other injuries.
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