Seventy-three-year-old John Kurulok, a service station attendant, was called to the scene of a nearby accident in which a car had plunged into a gully, rolled over and burst into flames on August 6, 1973. Finding a couple trapped inside the vehicle, he smashed a window, reached inside and helped the driver crawl to safety. The other occupant was unconscious and securely fastened by a seat belt. After struggling unsuccessfully to free the victim, Mr. Kurulok obtained a hatchet from another motorist at the scene and attempted to sever the belt. In the face of imminent peril, he persisted in a vain attempt to save the woman's life, but was finally driven back by the fire which quickly consumed the vehicle.