Paul C. Bailey helped to save Carl Walter and Gertrude W. Lear from an impending explosion, Short Creek, West Virginia, October 13, 1966. A twin-engine airplane containing Walter; Mrs. Lear, 86; and three others crash-landed near an airport on a narrow strip of ground between a wooded area and a steep bank. The wings of the badly damaged craft rested atop the bank and in the trees, holding the front end above the ground. Fire broke out on the left engine as gasoline leaked from at least one of the fuel tanks, which contained more than 600 gallons of gasoline. Bailey, 41, automotive dealer, and others at the airport drove to the scene, as did the airport’s fire truck. Flames on gasoline leaking onto the ground under the left wing rose 10 feet, and those at the scene anticipated an explosion and retreated when the flames suddenly increased to 20 feet. The pilot then climbed out of the wreckage and called for help in removing the four passengers, all of whom had been injured. With help from others, the pilot removed one of the passengers before going to the left side of the fuselage, joining Bailey and two other men in the confined space between the wreckage and the steep bank. The crash had torn a hole in the left side of the cabin. Alongside the wreckage heat was very noticeable and the gasoline fumes were strong. By then another man had taken a hose from the fire truck and was spraying chemical foam on the flames. The pilot climbed into the cabin and moved Walter, who was unconscious, to the opening. Walter was removed from the cabin by Bailey and two other men and was carried away. Heat was increasing in the area between the wreckage and the bank as the flames spread despite efforts of the man with the fire hose. Bailey returned to the fuselage and was joined by others. As the pilot was having difficulty in moving Mrs. Lear, Bailey and one of the others entered the cabin, where heat was noticeable, and helped to move her to the opening. Emerging from the cabin, Bailey fell and cut his hand, but he and the others succeeded in getting Mrs. Lear through the opening. They carried her away. The man with the fire hose then retreated. Flames spread more quickly, and the left fuel tanks exploded. Flames rose 180 feet into the air. A few minutes later the right fuel tanks exploded. Walter could not be revived, but all of the other victims recovered.
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