Wardell Coppins Corley saved Lorraine B. Olmsted from burning, Southfield, Michigan, December 30, 1969. When her automobile was struck from behind by another vehicle, Mrs. Olmsted, 56, was thrown forward and became wedged by the steering wheel and the dashboard. Injured slightly, she was unable to free herself as fire broke out at the rear of the automobile. Corley, 54, automobile painter, ran to the driver’s side of the sedan, on which flames were rising 12 feet into the air at the trunk and lesser flames were spreading over the top. He forced open the jammed door and, within a foot of the nearest flames, extended his upper body into the automobile. Corley took hold of Mrs. Olmsted and with some effort pulled her loose from her wedged position. Moving back, he drew her from the automobile. About one minute later a concussive explosion at the sedan increased the flames. Mrs. Olmsted recovered from her injuries.
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