Robert K. DeVine rescued William H. Hatfield from burning, Death Valley, California, March 19, 1966. At night when Hatfield’s sports coupe went out of control on a desert highway and rammed into a sand dune with great force, fire broke out at the engine. Hatfield, 42, design engineer, was knocked unconscious and suffered a head injury, but a young woman with him sustained only minor injuries and was able to get out. Two automobiles, one driven by DeVine, 32, park ranger, stopped 150 feet from the burning coupe. DeVine ran to the left door, which was open. The flames had spread to the passenger compartment, and heat was intense. Hatfield’s clothing was afire and his seat belt had burned through. Crouching, DeVine extended his upper body into the coupe and took hold of Hatfield, who outweighed him by 20 pounds. With his hands in contact with the flames on Hatfield, DeVine obtained a firm grip, pulled him out of the coupe, and dragged him 90 feet away. Just then the coupe’s fuel tank exploded, sending flames 30 feet into the air and hurling parts of the vehicle’s fiberglass body as much as 80 feet. DeVine beat out the flames on Hatfield, who was removed to a hospital but succumbed to his burns and injuries three days later. DeVine sustained a wrenched back and burns to his hands but recovered. 49258-5344
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