A rural Geary County volunteer firefighter is being recognized for saving a life.

Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief, said an accident occurred last Tuesday night ( July 17 ) on U.S. 77 Highway about seven miles south of Junction City. He said volunteer fireman Billy Crable drove up to the accident scene right after the accident occurred. “He saw what he thought was a small grass fire but it turned out to be the vehicle on fire. ”

Crable stopped, got out, checked the vehicle.  “Found that the driver was still inside the vehicle, the vehicle was upside down. Billy grabbed ahold of the guy’s two arms and pulled him out of that burning vehicle away from where it was burning.

Micky Black, 23, Lost Springs, was transported from the scene of the accident to Geary Community Hospital. His Pontiac Grand AM had hit the rear end of another vehicle, entered a ditch, traveled up an embankment, rolled, flipped over and caught fire.

Berges said he believes Crable saved Black’s life because from all indications Black could not have gotten out of his car on his own. The Rural Fire Chief added Crable will be recognized locally and possibly at the state level.