Palmdale Man Honored for Fiery Rescue

Donald Green still does not know why he risked his life on Dec. 16, 1986, to rescue a Chatsworth teen-ager who was trapped in her burning car.

“It’s mysterious to me,” the 30-year-old Palmdale resident said. “When I saw the flames start up, I went into oblivion. I don’t know whatever it was that gave me God’s speed to make me do what I did. I guess I just realized that something had to be done.”

Green, who was honored by the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Thursday, was driving near De Soto Avenue and Oxnard Street in Warner Center when a car driven by Shannon Hamrick, 18, burst into flames after colliding with another vehicle.

Pulled From Car

According to authorities, Green ran to the blazing car, pulled the young woman out of the vehicle and used the light jacket he was wearing to put out the flames burning her hair and skin. Hamrick suffered burns over 40% of her body.

Green was one of 19 people cited nationwide by the commission, which was founded in 1904. Each of the heroes or their survivors receives a medal and $2,500.

Green admitted that he is a little leery of being called a hero.

“The day after the accident, the people at work changed my mail box to read, ‘Hero Green,’ ” he said. “I wasn’t sure . . . but I’m glad people are happy and certain people are very grateful over what I did.”

Among the grateful is Hamrick, who faces five years of corrective surgery. In a telephone interview, she referred to Green as her big brother.

“I love him for what he did,” she said. “I know he deserves the award.”