Daniel A. Lopez-Galvan saved Galen T. Fairbanks from burning, Cholame, California, November 25, 1995. Restrained by her seat belt, Galen, 8, remained in a rear seat of her family’s car after a fatal, three-vehicle accident in which the car overturned and caught fire. Another motorist, Lopez-Galvan, 18, college student, witnessed the accident and ran to the scene. Despite flames covering the front of the car, which was partially underneath one of the other vehicles, engulfed by flame, Lopez-Galvan reached through a window and attempted to release Galen’s seat belt. He then withdrew from the car and told Galen to release the belt. She did so, then fell to the roof of the car. With flames spreading toward him, Lopez-Galvan partially entered the car through the window, grasped Galen by the ankles, and pulled her out. They moved away from the car, which was shortly engulfed by flame. Galen required hospitalization for treatment of her injuries, and Lopez-Galvan received hospital treatment for a second- degree burn to his left arm. He recovered.
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