Paul F. Craig saved Cynthia L. Lugo, and three others from burning, Montebello, California, February 25, 1967. In an accident involving three vehicles, the small coupe containing Mrs. Lugo, 22, her husband, and their two children was rolled over onto its top and stopped with one side jammed against that of a station wagon, while a sedan extended at a right angle from the other side of the coupe just ahead of the door. Gasoline from the coupe’s ruptured fuel tank caught fire. None of the occupants of the three vehicles was seriously injured, and those in the sedan and station wagon were able to get out. An automobile containing Craig, 24, assistant district Boy Scout executive, stopped at the scene. Flames then rose six to eight feet above the front and rear of the coupe, and other flames burned beneath all three vehicles. Craig ran to the wreckage and dropped to his knees in the corner formed by the inverted coupe and the sedan. Within 18 inches of flames, he reached through the window opening and grasped Mrs. Lugo. Craig pulled her from the coupe, dragged her a safe distance away, and ran back to the window. Flames then were issuing into the coupe. Craig removed Mrs. Lugo’s year-old daughter and carried her 30 feet away. Another man took the child from Craig, who again returned to the window. By then flames had spread to the other two automobiles. Ignoring warnings of a possible fuel tank explosion, Craig again knelt beside the coupe. Mrs. Lugo’s husband thrust their month-old son toward the window. Craig removed the child, carried him 30 feet to a youth, and once more ran back to the inverted coupe. The husband then was trying to crawl out but was having difficulty because the window opening was small. Craig aided the husband out of the vehicle, and soon afterwards a sudden spread of flames enveloped the entire coupe. 49462-5352
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