Paul Vito Zimmerman helped attempt to save Scott W. Handechin from an impending explosion, South Farmingdale, New York, July 22, 1980. Handschin, 25, was pinned in his subcompact automobile after it had flipped onto its driver’s side in an accident. Gasoline flowed from the auto’s fuel tank. Zimmerman, 44, electrician, joined another man in forcing open the passenger door and attempting unsuccessfully to reach Handschin. Zimmerman and three other men then pushed the auto upright to extract Handschin when an explosion engulfed it in flames and knocked all four men away. Handschin was blown onto the pavement by the blast. He required hospitalization for extensive and severe burns; Zimmerman was treated for lesser burns and recovered.
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