James D. Crocker rescued Douglas K. Spielberger from burning, Valley City, Ohio, September 3, 2007. Spielberger, 49, was trapped inside his sport utility vehicle after it left the roadway in an accident, overturned onto its driver’s side, and caught fire in its engine area. Crocker, 52, dairy farmer, who lived at the scene, was alerted to the accident. Unable to gain access to the vehicle through its side doors, he opened its rear hatch. Although the vehicle was filled with smoke and flames were beginning to enter it at the front, Crocker, who was shirtless, stepped inside, made his way to Spielberger, and released Spielberger’s safety belt. Flames by then were at Spielberger’s feet and legs. Crocker grasped Spielberger underneath the arms, dragged him to the rear of the vehicle, and pulled him out. Others moved Spielberger away from the vehicle, which was shortly engulfed by flames. Spielberger was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for burns. Crocker sustained minor burns to his back, chest, and legs, and he recovered.
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