Brian James Ivory rescued Winston J. DeCoteau from burning, Hauppauge, New York, December 17, 2006. DeCoteau, 24, was semiconscious in the driver’s seat of his car after an accident at night in which the vehicle left the road, struck a utility pole, and burst into flame. Driving home from work, Ivory, 25, bartender, witnessed the accident. After reporting it, he ran to the car, where flames were issuing from its rear end and advancing toward the front. Ivory opened the driver’s door, reached over DeCoteau, and with difficulty released his safety belt. By then flames had spread to the interior of the car and to DeCoteau’s clothing. Ivory grasped DeCoteau under the arms, pulled him from the vehicle, and dragged him away. He then extinguished the flames on DeCoteau’s clothing. Flames shortly engulfed the car. DeCoteau was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries, which included burns to his face, head, and neck. Ivory was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns to his face, and he recovered.
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