Michael Eugene Hancock saved Richard Lafferty from a possible explosion, Kenai, Alaska, August 19, 1977. When his small airplane crashed and ended up in a position with the tail held up by highpower electric lines, Lafferty was pinned in the cockpit as a result of the engine’s having been driven back at impact. Hancock, 20, insulator helper, ran to the airplane, where electrical sparking was occurring and where gasoline was leaking onto Lafferty’s head. Despite warnings from others, Hancock extended his upper body into the cockpit and freed Lafferty, who was bleeding from head injuries. Hancock removed Lafferty from the cockpit and lowered him to two men who had approached the airplane. Lafferty recovered from his injuries.
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