David Vance Northcutt helped to rescue Anthony M. Larson from burning, Madison, Wisconsin, October 28, 1990. Larson, 20, was inside his burning car after a highway accident at night. At work nearby, Northcutt, 20, pizza maker, was alerted to the accident, and he ran to the scene, joining a co-worker who had already arrived. Northcutt and the co-worker attempted to open the the driver’s door of the car, which was almost engulfed in flame, but it was jammed shut. A second co-worker arrived with a fire extinguisher, which he used to suppress some of the flames. Northcutt and the first co-worker then extended their upper bodies through the window of the driver’s door, grasped Larson, and pulled him free of the car. As they and others dragged him to safety, one of the car’s tires exploded, and the car was shortly engulfed in flame. Larson was hospitalized five weeks for severe burns, which required surgery. Northcutt sustained a burn to his right hand and minor smoke inhalation, and he recovered.
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