Motorists save Bonne Terre man from burning car

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Two motorists are being credited with saving an eastern Missouri man who was trapped in his burning car.

The highway patrol said 36-year-old Thomas Forbes of Bonne Terre, Mo., was driving a 1991 Buick LeSabre on U.S. 67 on Wednesday when he hit the back of a GMC utility truck. The car caught fire with Forbes trapped inside.

The driver of the truck, Steven Peterson of Bonne Terre, and another passing motorist pulled Forbes out of the car. A third person used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

Big River fire chief David Pratte said he doesn't normally recommend pulling accident victims from vehicles. But in this case, he said, the men saved Forbes' life.

Forbes had moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital.