Reginald Thompson, Jr., saved Sandi G. Berry and Eric M. Beursken from burning, St. Augustine, Florida, August 3, 1991. Sandi, 17, and Beursken,18, were trapped in a burning automobile, which had turned onto its driver’s side and caught fire in a highway accident. Driving nearby, Thompson, 49,an off-duty firefighter, witnessed the accident. He picked up a rock as he ran to the scene and used it to break out a glass panel in the roof of the car. Thompson then leaned into the car, dislodged Sandi, who was conscious, and removed her. He dragged her a short distance away, then returned for Beursken as flames spread on the car. Obtaining a knife from a bystander, Thompson leaned back into the car and cut Beursken’s seatbelt. He pulled Beursken from the car as its interior caught fire. Shortly after others helped to take Beursken to safety, an explosion at the car forced it back onto its wheels. Sandi and Beursken required hospitalization for treatment of their injuries, and Thompson was treated for lacerations, requiring sutures, sustained to his fingers while cutting Beursken’s seatbelt
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