Floyd O. Pollard rescued Vaughn Gaschet de l’Isle from burning, Kingston, Idaho, June 29, 2003. Gaschet de l’Isle, 57, was the driver of a pickup truck that, in a highway accident, left the roadway and partially overturned onto its passenger side against an embankment. The pickup had been towing a 31-foot recreational vehicle, and it too overturned. Fire broke out at the back of the truck, and flames spread to the cab and the front of the recreational vehicle. Pollard, 35, disabled logger, was driving on a nearby overpass when he witnessed the accident. He climbed over a guide rail and descended the embankment to the level of the highway, then approached the pickup. Gaschet de l’Isle had removed his safety belt but could not open the truck’s driver’s door, which was jammed. Pollard likewise tried to open the door, then he attempted to break out its window, again with no success. Pollard mounted the truck’s hood and attempted to pull out the windshield, but he cut his hands on the glass. He then kicked out the windshield and moved it aside. Gaschet de l’Isle extended his arms through the opening, and Pollard grasped them and pulled him out of the cab, onto the hood. After they stepped to the ground, Pollard helped Gaschet de l’Isle walk away from the truck, which was shortly engulfed by flames. Gaschet de l’Isle sustained a slight burn to an ear and other minor injuries and was treated at the hospital. Pollard recovered from the lacerations to his hands.
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