Edward J. Opatrny helped to save Gregory D. Kuhns from burning, Harrison City, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1988. Kuhns, 18, was rendered unconscious in his overturned and burning car following a highway accident. Traveling on the same road, Opatrny, 41, electrician; a friend, and their wives came upon the scene moments later. When Opatrny and his friend found the car’s driver’s door to be jammed, they attempted to remove Kuhns through the door’s open window, but they could not dislodge him. While flames fed on the car’s undercarriage and spread to its interior, Opatrny and his friend worked for some moments to force the door open. Then, extending themselves to the shoulders inside the car, they grasped Kuhns and with some difficulty pulled him out, Opatrny’s wife helping to support him. After they had carried him away from the car, flames increased and eventually destroyed it. Kuhns was hospitalized for injuries received during the accident, and he recovered.
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