John Shannon Gibson helped to rescue Deborah A. Johns from burning, Waverly, Georgia, October 10, 2013. Johns, 47, was trapped inside her car after a nighttime accident in which the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree head on, and broke into flames at its front end. Gibson, 45, mechanic, was driving on the same highway and came upon the scene. Flagged down by another motorist, he responded to the burning car and attempted to open its doors but was not successful. Gibson then obtained his fire extinguisher and used it against the flames. With flames persisting, and growing, Gibson and the other motorist worked to open the driver’s door, bending down its window frame. Although flames by then were spreading inside the car, to its dashboard and headliner, Gibson leaned through the window opening to his waist and freed Johns, whose legs were trapped in the wreckage. Gibson held to her legs and the other motorist to her arms as the men pulled her from the vehicle and carried her to safety. Flames continued to grow, soon to engulf the vehicle. Johns required hospital treatment for extensive injuries, including minor burns.
86127 – 9736
86127-9736