James F. Shirley saved S. J. Bradley from an impending explosion, South Bay, Florida, May 21, 1969. Bradley, 32, truckdriver, driving a tractor-trailer, was pinned in the cab when the rig was involved in an accident with a pickup truck and a tank truck carrying diesel fuel. The tank section was detached in the crash, and one end was thrust against the trailer just behind the cab, the front of which was against the pickup truck. An extensive amount of fuel was spilled, and flames broke out. Bradley and Shirley, 28, truckdriver, who was traveling with him, were covered with fuel sprayed into the cab. Although fearing an explosion, Shirley delayed leaving the cab until, with difficulty, he succeeded in freeing Bradley. Shirley then stepped out onto the detached tank, around which flames were rising. As he aided Bradley from the cab, the clothing of both men was ignited. They descended from the tank and put out the flames on their attire by rolling on the grass alongside the highway. Shortly thereafter explosions occurred at the wreckage, greatly increasing the flames. Bradley and Shirley were hospitalized. They recovered.
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