Fred R. Anderson rescued Jody L. Ayers from burning, Alpha, Michigan, July 1, 1996. Ms. Ayers, 24, was unconscious in the front seat of her car after it left the highway and, wedged among trees, caught fire. Anderson, 42, fabricator and welder, approached the scene on his motorcycle and, seeing flames, went down an embankment to the burning car. Unable to gain access through its driver’s side, he went to the passenger door and, with difficulty, broke the door’s window. Anderson then extended his upper body into the car, grasped Ms. Ayers, and, requiring repeated attempts, removed her from the car as flames quickly spread, including to its interior. Others helped carry Ms. Ayers back to the road. She was hospitalized for treatment of burns and other injuries, from which she died 16 days later. Anderson recovered from a bruised elbow and minor burns to his face and hand.
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