Ronald Allen Kustra helped to rescue Aurelius K. Allen from burning, St. Louis, Missouri, October 2, 1970. At night a two-door sedan driven by Allen, 44, chemical engineer, was in an accident and, veering from the highway, stopped on uneven terrain where gasoline leaking from the fuel tank flowed along a ground indentation at the automobile’s right side and caught fire. Allen, who had sustained injuries, was unable to open the left door but succeeded in opening the right door slightly; and he sustained burns from flames which then spread into the front-seat area. Kustra, 23, newspaper mailer, ran to the left side of the sedan, along with another man. Flames burned around the fuel tank and inside the vehicle. With difficulty, Kustra and the other man opened the left door about one foot. While the other man then held the door open, Kustra reached into the sedan. He sustained minor burns as he lifted Allen part way through the narrow opening. The other man then aided Kustra in pulling Allen from the sedan, which soon was engulfed by flames. Allen recovered from his injuries and burns.
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