Eugene L. Parsons rescued Pamela K. Haught and helped to rescue Jacque L. Day from burning, Globe, Arizona, July 1, 1966. Miss Haught, 15, and Miss Day, 16, were in a small convertible coupe when it veered off the roadway, went over a vertical escarpment, and landed in an inverted position in a dry creek bed. They were trapped beneath the overturned automobile and, although injured, remained conscious. Parsons, 15, schoolboy, J. Richard Dalmolin, and other youths ran to the coupe, where gasoline was leaking from the ruptured tank. They started to lift the side of the automobile but retreated when flames issued from beneath the vehicle. The other youths left; and Parsons and Dalmolin returned to the coupe. They dropped to their knees and dug away sand from around the door until they were able to open it. While Dalmolin pushed upward on the door frame, Parsons reached into the coupe and freed Miss Day’s hand from beneath the steering wheel. An explosive spread of flames then occurred at the rear of the automobile, enveloping that area and igniting gasoline spilled on the sand. Tongues of flame issued into the coupe. Flames were within three feet of Parsons and Dalmolin as they pulled Miss Day from the automobile. They took her some distance away. Parsons then ran back to the burning coupe. He lay prone with his head in the door opening and reached into the automobile, where there was dense smoke laced with flames. Probing, he obtained a hold on Miss Haught. Parsons pulled her from the coupe and then beat out the flames on her as they ran to a safe distance. Miss Day and Miss Haught were hospitalized for injuries and burns. Parsons and Dalmolin sustained superficial burns. All recovered.
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