NJFFSA16
01-04-2005, 05:41 AM
The Marines
WESTPORT, N.Y. (AP) - Four Marines driving on the Adirondack
Northway to a meeting in Albany were credited Monday with rescuing
a man from the burning cab of his fuel tanker.
The accident, which happened around noon, closed the southbound
lanes of Interstate 87 near Exit 31 for about seven hours, state
police said.
Westport Fire Chief Jim Westover said fog was a factor when the
nearly empty tanker rammed into the back end of a tractor-trailer.
The blaze was contained in about an hour and did not spread beyond
the cab.
Before emergency crews arrived, the Marines "pulled the
gentleman out of the burning truck and carried him in a sleeping
bag," Westover said. "Just getting the gentleman out of the truck
made a big difference."
The driver, 57-year-old Cornelius Mahar of Rensselaer, was
hospitalized in critical condition.
The tractor-trailer's driver, 36-year-old Gloria Morgan of
Lynchburg, S.C., sustained minor injuries, state police said.
The Marines involved were Pfcs. William Patnode, Charles
Meskunas and Gregory LaFountain and Pvt. James Stewart.
Westport is 36 miles south of Plattsburgh.
---
Information from: Press-Republican,
http://www.pressrepublican.com
WESTPORT, N.Y. (AP) - Four Marines driving on the Adirondack
Northway to a meeting in Albany were credited Monday with rescuing
a man from the burning cab of his fuel tanker.
The accident, which happened around noon, closed the southbound
lanes of Interstate 87 near Exit 31 for about seven hours, state
police said.
Westport Fire Chief Jim Westover said fog was a factor when the
nearly empty tanker rammed into the back end of a tractor-trailer.
The blaze was contained in about an hour and did not spread beyond
the cab.
Before emergency crews arrived, the Marines "pulled the
gentleman out of the burning truck and carried him in a sleeping
bag," Westover said. "Just getting the gentleman out of the truck
made a big difference."
The driver, 57-year-old Cornelius Mahar of Rensselaer, was
hospitalized in critical condition.
The tractor-trailer's driver, 36-year-old Gloria Morgan of
Lynchburg, S.C., sustained minor injuries, state police said.
The Marines involved were Pfcs. William Patnode, Charles
Meskunas and Gregory LaFountain and Pvt. James Stewart.
Westport is 36 miles south of Plattsburgh.
---
Information from: Press-Republican,
http://www.pressrepublican.com