Mark J. Pentz helped to save Joyce E. Egan from burning, Newtown, Pennsylvania, February 28, 2002. Ms. Egan, 36, remained in an automobile that, at night, left the roadway, struck a utility pole, and came to rest in an area of dense brush. The pole and car caught fire, as did the brush in places. Pentz, 40, police officer, responded to the scene, as did other officers and residents of the vicinity. They located the car, which was obscured from view, when Ms. Egan began to scream. Precluded by the brush from approaching the driver’s side of the car, Pentz went to its passenger side, where he directed Ms. Egan to exit through the window of the driver’s door. Despite flames issuing from the hood of the car within a foot of him, Pentz reached across the car’s roof, grasped Ms. Egan, and pulled her to himself, then handed her to others. When he turned to move away from the car, he became caught in the brush and, having inhaled smoke, lost consciousness. Others took him from the car to safety, and he revived. Ms. Egan and Pentz required hospitalization, Pentz being detained overnight for treatment of smoke inhalation. He recovered.
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