Merechildo L. Ybarra, 42, park caretaker, saved Tommy J. Turner, 17, schoolboy, from burning, Sanderson, Texas, August 27, 1964. When the cab section of his trailer truck upset, Turner’s hand and foot were caught in the crumpled cab. One of the two fuel tanks containing a total of 50 gallons of gasoline was ruptured, and fire broke out in the engine. Ybarra ran to the cab, saw Turner inside, and with difficulty pulled open the door. So that the truck would not crush him if it rolled, he crawled almost completely into the overturned cab. Heat was intense, and gasoline fumes were strong. Ybarra took hold of Turner from behind and jerked as hard as he could. He heard the crackle of flames in the engine but continued pulling on Turner. A flash of flames then filled the cab, badly singeing the hair of Turner and Ybarra. Flames appeared in the area of Turner’s pinned foot. Ybarra tugged harder and aided Turner in pulling his foot out of his boot. Turner then freed his hand. Crawling backward, Ybarra dragged Turner out of the truck as flames covered the opposite door. They were 20 feet away when there was a sudden spread of flames which enveloped the cab. Turner had sustained burns which healed.
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