'Heroes' honored for saving man after crash

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff resident is alive because of the actions of two area men who pulled him away from his burning vehicle.

Troy L. Hughey of Williamsville, Mo., and Russell A. Phillips of Poplar Bluff were honored Wednesday with a letter of appreciation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

In making the presentation to Hughey, patrol Lt. David Hart read the letter he submitted to Col. Roger Stottlemyre asking that the men be recognized.

Hart said on May 25, Joseph T. Bone lost control of his 1993 Jeep on Highway W five miles north of Poplar Bluff. Bone was ejected, injured and lying unconscious beside the burning vehicle, he said.

Phillips and Hughey, "working together," pulled Bone away from the vehicle, Hart said.

"Their effort obviously saved Mr. Bone from burning to death," Hart said.

Hughey said he doesn't feel he deserves the recognition. He doesn't see himself as a hero. He is used to being part of a team at Three Rivers Healthcare-North Campus.

"I'm really thankful to be part of a team trying to help save people's lives," said Hughey.

, who works in respiratory therapy. "There is nothing greater than to save someone's life."

"I saw him down on the ground," Hughey said. "I knew he was probably hurt pretty bad."

Hughey said credit should go to Phillips.

"He did a great, wonderful job in helping," Hughey said.

When the men arrived, Hughey said, the car was already on fire. "It didn't take long for it to spread to all the car," he said. "By the time the fire department arrived, it was really on fire."

Hughey said he and Phillips pulled Bone a distance away from the vehicle prior to the arrival of the highway patrol and emergency medical services personnel.

According to patrol reports, Bone was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau for treatment.

Hughey checked on Bone the day after the accident. "He was doing OK," Hughey said. "He had a broken arm and a severe gash on his head, but they said he was doing OK."