David Hammond helped to save Kelsey A. Johnson from burning, Valles Mines, Missouri, November 24, 1997. Kelsey, 7, was the passenger of an automobile driven by her father that caught fire in a highway collision. Motorists, including Hammond, 51, account executive, witnessed the accident and stopped at the scene. Hammond and another man approached the severely damaged car, the rear of which was covered by flames that extended into the back-seat area. When the other man pulled the passenger door open, Kelsey, who was unconscious, began to fall out of the car. Hammond caught her, then, despite spreading flames in the back-seat area, he leaned headfirst into the car and worked to free her father, as did the other man, who then helped carry him away. Hammond carried Kelsey to safety. Within moments, the car was engulfed by flame. Neither Kelsey nor her father was burned, but Kelsey required extensive hospitalization for severe injuries, and her father’s injuries were fatal.
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