Eldred C. Fisher rescued Harry M. Cutshaw from burning, Bedford, Kentucky, November 30, 1964. As Cutshaw, 52, oil distributor, was driving along the highway his two-door sedan, in which he was carrying an uncapped jug of gasoline, burst into flames, and the vehicle plunged over the brow of a very steep bank. Fisher, 39, conservation contractor, witnessed the accident, ran to the top of the bank, and saw that the sedan had stopped headed uphill against some rocks 125 feet below. Cutshaw still was inside the automobile, and flames were issuing through the open door on the driver’s side. Fisher flagged a truck and asked the driver for help, but the man said it was too late to save Cutshaw. Fisher alone descended the bank, which was slippery due to light snow, and went to the door at the right side, which also was open. Flames on the ground and on the front end of the sedan were within two feet of the door. Flames within the vehicle rose three feet above the floor at the driver’s side and burned on that end of the seat. Cutshaw’s hair and clothing were afire. Fisher reached into the automobile and grasped Cutshaw around the chest with both arms, sustaining burns to his hands. He pulled Cutshaw out of the sedan, dragged him six feet away, and beat out the flames on him. Fisher then noticed that gasoline was leaking from around the cap of the fuel tank within three feet of flames spreading on the ground. Fearing an explosion, he obtained wet hay from a bale nearby and placed it on the ground between the leaking gasoline and the flames. A young man descended the bank and aided Fisher in moving Cutshaw a safe distance from the automobile. Firemen arrived and extinguished the flames. Cutshaw, who had suffered injuries and extensive burns, died two days later. Fisher’s burns healed.
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