Peter Boterenbrood rescued Christopher F. Porter from burning, Norton Shores, Michigan, July 24, 2010. Porter, 39, was the lone occupant of a single-engine airplane that crash-landed in a wooded area after losing power while in flight. As tree limbs blocked the door on the left side of the fuselage and flames broke out on its right side, just outside the cockpit, Porter was trapped in the wreckage. He shouted for help. Boterenbrood, 44, a police officer from a neighboring municipality, was off-duty and in his home near the scene. Alerted to the crash, he responded immediately and approached the plane. Boterenbrood moved branches that were blocking the plane’s left side and then opened the door, finding that flames were entering the cockpit. He reached inside, grasped Porter, and, pulling hard on him, freed him from the wreckage. They fell to the ground. Boterenbrood dragged Porter away from the plane and then, aided by a responding police officer, dragged him farther to safety as the cockpit became engulfed by flames. Porter was hospitalized for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, and he also suffered a minor burn. Boterenbrood recovered from minor cuts and scratches.
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