Erich M. Funccius

Erich M. Funccius saved three men from burning, Kingston, New York, October 1, 2020. Three men, ages 30, 20, and 19 were inside a burning car after a highway accident in which the car struck a utility pole. Funccius, 32, security officer who lived nearby, heard the collision, and ran to the scene. Electric power lines draped across the car’s hood, which was also on fire. Funccius pried open the front, passenger-side door, and the 20-year-old man fell onto the ground. With fire spreading, Funccius dragged the man away from the car. Funccius then returned to the car where the 30-year-old driver was slumped against the steering wheel. With flames having entered the interior and on the dashboard, Funccius, opened the driver’s door, extended his upper body inside, and released the man’s seat belt. He then grasped the driver under the arms and dragged him away from the car. Learning that the 19-year-old remained inside the burning car, Funccius returned again to the car and located the 19-year-old in its rear seat. He opened the car’s rear, driver’s-side door, and removed him, taking him to safety. The car was shortly engulfed by flames. The three men were taken to hospitals and treated for their injuries, but they were not burned. Funccius sustained smoke inhalation; he recovered.