Richard David Kuehner saved Mary E. and Deborah G. Waddington from burning, New Castle, Delaware, July 6, 1970. In a traffic accident, a two-door sedan was badly damaged and partially pinned beneath a tractor-trailer. Mrs. Waddington, 50, and Deborah, 16, in the sedan, were severely injured and lost consciousness as flames broke out at the rear of the automobile and ignited one of the tractor’s tires near its fuel tank. Kuehner, 26, diesel service owner, ran to the open door of the burning sedan. As flames rose six feet from the rear end, he reached into the front seat and pulled Mrs. Waddington out of the automobile. After carrying her some distance away, Kuehner returned to the sedan but could not see Deborah, who he knew had been with her mother. He saw that the back and cushion of the rear seat had been knocked loose and were jammed against the front seat. As flames spread into the interior, Kuehner extended his head, shoulders, and arms into the rear compartment. He reached under the dislodged seat, found Deborah, and with some difficulty pulled her from the automobile. Minutes later the tractor’s tire exploded and flames filled the sedan. Mrs. Waddington and Deborah had not been burned; but Kuehner had sustained minor burns on his arm.
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