Ralph C. Wernett rescued George W. Hosier and Albert F. Hahn from burning, Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1939. At night an automobile in which laborers Hosier, 34, and Hahn, 27, were riding plunged into Muddy Run, rested in an upright position in water a foot deep, and caught fire. Shotgun shells and rifle cartridges were in the automobile. Hahn had been thrown through the roof; and he lay on his back, one foot being pinned by a wheel. Flames rose about three feet above the automobile. Only the rim of the roof remained; and Hosier’s head and one arm extended through the opening above the rear seat, his chest resting on the rim. He was unconscious. Ralph, 17, schoolboy, who had been attracted, waded to Hosier, took bold of his head, and tried to pull him out. Flesh sloughed from Hosier’s head, and Ralph shifted his hold to Hosier’s neck and with effort pulled him out of the automobile. He dipped Hosier in the water, extinguished fire on his clothing, and then dragged him to the bank. He heard sharp reports in the automobile, which he later thought were the explosions of shells or cartridges. He then waded to Hahn; and taking hold of him, Ralph after two attempts pulled his foot free of the wheel and dragged him to the bank. Soon afterward other explosions occurred; but the gasoline tank did not explode. Hosier died the following day from burns. Hahn, who was seriously injured, recovered. 38098-3166
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38098-3166