George W. Latham saved Cynthia A. Stephens from burning, Westminster, California, December 8, 1972. The two-door sedan in which Cynthia, 11, was riding with her mother and two younger sisters was struck from behind, rupturing the fuel tank and setting fire to the rear end. The mother got out, taking her youngest daughter with her; and a man ran to the open door and removed the other daughter from the front seat. Latham, 39, store department manager, then ran to the open door and saw Cynthia in the rear seat. Flames were rising from the trunk and others were burning on the pavement under it as Latham leaned into the automobile to his waist. Heat was intense. Latham grasped Cynthia and pulled her out of the sedan, which soon afterward became filled with flames.
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