Brockton Man Honored As A Carnegie Hero
BROCKTON (CBS) - A Massachusetts man who rescued a 97-year-old woman from a fire is one of this year's Carnegie Heroes.
In January 2011, 19-year-old Nathan Yassen saved Nina Sullivan from a burning building in Brockton.
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission writes: Nathan Yassen saved Nina L. Sullivan from burning, Brockton, Massachusetts, January 28, 2011. Sullivan, 97, was alone in her one-story frame house after fire broke out in a back room at night and filled the structure with dense smoke. Her neighbor, Yassen, 19, student, was outside his house and discovered the fire. He responded to the rear of the structure, but flame conditions there prevented his entering. Going to the front of the house, he kicked open the front door and entered, despite intense heat inside and visibility that was restricted by the smoke. Crouching, Yassen made his way through the living room and a hall toward Sullivan's bedroom, en route passing the kitchen, which was aflame. He found Sullivan outside her bedroom doorway. Placing an arm around her, Yassen guided her past the burning kitchen and through the living room, and they exited the house to safety. Flames grew to engulf and destroy the house. Both Sullivan and Yassen were taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, Sullivan requiring admission. They recovered.
Every year, The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission honors people who risk their lives to save others.
Yassen will receive a medal and $5,000 for his bravery.
Read the entire list of winners of Carnegie Hero medals awarded Wednesday:
— Cara A. Ellis, 21, of Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J., died attempting to rescue Bryan H. Mueller, 52, from an assault in October 2010.
— Angela M. Pierce, 29, of Dayton, Ohio, helped to rescue police Officer Jonathan C. Seiter, 43, from an assault in December 2010.
— John F. Morris Jr., 23, of Mobile, Ala., died attempting to save Angela E. Velasco, 40, from drowning in Navarre, Fla., in April. Velasco survived.
— Kevin Patrick Boyle, 39, of Saint Joseph, Mich., saved Norman K. Ketchman, 77, from burning in Stevensville, Mich., in December 2010.
— Thomas H. Porter, 52, of Cleveland, Texas, saved Lyndzie L. Lucius, 1, from burning in Splendora, Texas, in January 2011.
— Robin DeHaven, 28, of Austin, Texas, saved Lisa L. Alexander, 45, and five other people from a fire after a small plane crash in February 2010.
— Alexis Renee Vaughan, 17, and Michael Craig Vaughan, 38, of Fullerton, Calif., rescued SueLynn Panter, 44, from an attacking deer in Franklin, Idaho, in September.
— Ryan B. Phillips, 43, of Cincinnati, saved Necardo King, 3, from a fire in February 2011.
— Steven P. Zernhelt, 53, of Northampton, Pa., died attempting to rescue Denise M. Merhi, 39, and others from an assault in June 2010.
— Billy Higgins, 35, of Tiltonsville, Ohio, saved Marion Veneri, 89, from burning in Shadyside, Ohio, in December 2010.
— Louis Charles Rosso, 70, of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., helped to save two children from drowning in Atlantic City, N.J., in July.
— Douglas D. Killingbeck, 48, of Milford, Mich., died attempting to save John M. Przydatek, 16, from drowning in May. Przydatek also died.
— Abigail R. Zuehlke, 30, of Earlysville, Va., helped to save Brandon Santiago, 18, and Daniel Santiago, 20, from drowning at Hunting Island, S.C., in July.
— James Lee Smith Bowen, 32, of Lawrence, Kan., saved Alice J. Ahlers, 68, from drowning in Ames, Iowa, in August 2010.
— Craig R. Espenshade, 50, of Jensen Beach, Fla., saved Sophie S. McConnell from drowning in Stuart, Fla., in February 2011.
— Charles V. Worden, 44, of North Garden, Va., saved Adrian G. Rowe from drowning in Waynesboro, Va., in April.
— Nathan Yassen, 19, of Brockton, Mass., saved Nina L. Sullivan, 97, from a fire in January 2011.
— Shane D. Scott, 33, of Bishop, Calif., rescued Drew C. Delis from a fire in August 2010.
— Jason W. Thurston, 30, of Northport, Maine, rescued Nina Tyutyunnyk, 71, from a fire in December 2010.
— Daniel Harrison Haley, 25, of Greeley, Colo., saved Brenndan Daviet, 10, from drowning in November 2010.
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Source: Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
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