Carnegie Hero Awards Given Pair Who Saved Family From Car Fire

Customers at the grocery store where Rubin Vigil works still pat him on the back for his courage in helping to pull a family of four from a burning car almost a year ago.

“People still remember and say ‘Great job you did,’ ” said the 29-year-old grocery clerk, adding that he finds all of the recognition embarrassing. “It’s not that big a deal. Anybody could have done it.”

But Thursday, Vigil had to endure more recognition when the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission honored him and John Floyd, 30, of Santa Ana, who also risked his life to save the family, said Walter Rutkowski, commission secretary. The men each received a medal and $2,500.

About six times a year, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognizes people who risk their lives saving or trying to save others, Rutkowski said. On Thursday, the Pittsburgh-based commission recognized 13 Americans and six Canadians, three of whom died trying to save others, he said.

In May of 1987, Vigil was driving home to Buena Park from a late shift at work when he saw a car engulfed in flames at the intersection of 21st and Golden West streets in Westminster. Meanwhile, Floyd, who was in his car nearby, had heard a loud crash and had rushed to the scene to help.

Although fire covered most of car, the two men who had never met worked as a team to free the family trapped inside.

“I was kind of afraid to walk up to the car at first,” Vigil said of the two-door Datsun, which had burst into flames after a truck hit it from behind.

But Vigil and Floyd fought the flames. First, they freed the driver, Luis G. Lopez, 32, whose leg was caught on the gear shift. Then they extracted his wife Teresa, 32, by dragging her from the passenger’s side of the car across the seat and out the driver’s door.

Because smoke filled the car and and he could not see anyone else inside, Vigil said, he thought everyone was out until Teresa Lopez began shouting, “Los ninos!” (the children). Both men returned and pulled 5-year-old Cesar Lopez from the back seat, then reached for his sister.

But 6-year-old Susanna was strapped in by seat belts, Vigil said. Each man grabbed one of her arms and tried pulling her free, Vigil said. But before they could succeed, the gas tank exploded and knocked them to the ground, burning Vigil’s arms and setting Floyd’s clothing on fire, Vigil said. Vigil doesn’t remember how it happened, but when he got up Susanna was out of the car.

Susanna Lopez and the rest of her family were treated for burns at UCI Medical Center in Orange and released. They recovered without any permanent injuries, Rutkowski said. Floyd suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face, hands and legs, while Vigil suffered second-degree burns on his forearms. Both have fully recovered.

At their home Thursday night, the Lopez family expressed appreciation for the men’s heroism.

“I’m very grateful towards the men because they saved our children,” Teresa Lopez said in Spanish. She called Floyd and Vigil buenas gentes (good people).

Lopez said that when the accident happened she tried to get out of the car but could not because her side of the vehicle was on fire. Lopez said she and her family still experience nightmares about the crash.

“Sometimes I get into the car and I feel afraid,” she said. “It is something that has stayed with me.”

Although the family recovered physically from the accident, the daughter Susanna still has to wear protective gloves because of the burns she suffered.

Vigil said he did not think about the danger until it was over.

“I was mostly thinking about getting these people out of there and hurry,” Vigil said. “I didn’t take notes of how it happened--I just did it.”

Floyd could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Vigil said the Lopez family expressed its gratitude by inviting the two rescuers to a barbecue dinner soon after the accident. And even now, he says, he sometimes drops by their house on his way to work. “They are nice people,” he said. “I still visit them every once in a while.”

So far this year the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has honored 37 people, and it has honored 7,218 heroes since it was founded in 1904, Rutkowski said. The commission was formed by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.