Scott D. Morrison rescued Raymond M. Jerrett III from burning, Rescue, California, August 13, 2019. Jerrett, 39, was trapped in his sedan following a nighttime accident in which his vehicle left the road, collided with a large boulder and tree, crashed through a barbed-wire fence and came to rest in a grassy field. The sedan caught fire and flames spread to the driver’s side and beneath the sedan. Morrison, 59, retired diesel mechanic, heard the noise of the accident from his nearby home. With his wife, Morrison responded to the scene, approached the vehicle and, despite spreading flames, opened the front, passenger door and partially extended himself into the vehicle. Grasping Jerrett about his arms, Morrison pulled but was not able to remove Jerrett, as Jerrett’s legs were stuck in the center console area. Morrison moved farther into the vehicle and freed Jerrett’s legs. Morrison backed toward the door opening, again grasped Jerrett’s arms but could not gain a grip due to severe burns on Jerrett’s arms. Morrison grasped Jerrett’s feet and pulled him from the vehicle. Morrison patted out flames burning on Jerrett’s clothing, then dragged Jerrett about 40 feet southeast to the barbed-wire fence, where another man aided Morrison in dragging him farther to safety. Jerrett was airlifted to a burn center for treatment of severe burns. Morrison suffered smoke inhalation and burns. He received treatment at the hospital, and his burns healed after about three weeks.
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