Timonthy Hunley rescued Silvia Y. Valladares from burning, Walterboro, South Carolina, March 29, 2018. Valladares, 40, was a front passenger in the cab of a semi-tractor that left an interstate highway and entered a wooded median, striking several trees, and catching fire. The tractor’s attached motorhome contained multiple propane tanks, and the trailer it was towing contained a vehicle and additional fuel containers. Traveling on the same road, Hunley, 43, film set painter, witnessed the accident, parked his car, and ran to the scene. Approaching the tractor’s cab at its front end, Hunley saw Valladares, conscious, inside the passenger side of the cab. Despite flames burning at the front of the vehicle and inside the cab, Hunley stepped onto the wreckage, and reached the broken-out windshield, which was partially blocked by trees. Extending most of his body inside through the opening, he unlatched her seat belt. Hunley then hugged Valladares to him, and with her in his grasp backed through the opening. As he stepped down from the cab, Hunley fell onto his back on the ground, and Valladares landed atop him. He rose and dragged her away from the vehicle to a point from which others ultimately aided her to safety. Flames grew to engulf the cab and spread into the motorhome and wooded median. Valladares required hospitalization for treatment of her injuries, which included severe burns. Hunley suffered minor burns to his arms, and he recovered.
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