Fred A. Ryle, 38, railway mail clerk, rescued John M. Bayless, 49, baggageman, from a burning train wreck, Comal, Texas, December 10, 1947. Bayless was thrown from a baggage car in a head-on collision of two passenger trains. The boilers of both locomotives exploded, and the locomotives and seven of the cars piled up in a mass of twisted wreckage. Fuel oil from the tenders covered the wreckage and in places became ignited. The baggage car was thrust upward on the wreckage and remained precariously in place with one end 30 feet above the track and 10 feet above Bayless, who had sustained a broken leg and lay in the debris. Bayless called for aid and attracted Ryle, who was attempting to put out a fire nearby. Ryle, who had suffered a shoulder injury, walked through a section of a burning car within four feet of flames and with difficulty ascended the wreckage to Bayless, sustaining minor cuts. Ryle supported Bayless and aided him 15 feet on the debris in the opposite direction from the flames. They emerged from beneath the baggage car and continued 15 feet to the roof of another car. There Ryle released him and slid down the side of the car to the edge of the wreckage. Bayless then slid down and was caught by Ryle and another man and carried from the wreckage. Flames later spread over the entire wreckage. Bayless required hospitalization for 14 months, his leg being amputated. Four persons were killed in the wreck and 40 others were injured. Ryle recovered. 3641-41306
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