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Governor: Heroic Men Pulled Driver From Burning Truck

Men Recognized With Heroism Awards

POSTED: 12:19 pm EST November 24, 2009
UPDATED: 7:19 pm EST November 24, 2009

Gov. Mitch Daniels honored two men as heroes Tuesday for pulling a truck driver from a burning tanker after a massive explosion that rocked Indianapolis' north side last month.

Lonnie Hood, 30, of Acton, and Robert Skaggs, 49, of Fortville, were recognized for their actions in saving the life of truck driver Ronald Tobias in the moments after the tanker blast on Interstate 465 near Interstate 69.

Previous Slideshow: Explosion, Fire Prompts Interstate Closure

Hood was working a construction job at a nearby apartment when the crash happened on Oct. 22. He jumped from a second-floor roof and ran to the scene.

"I just jumped off and ran to it.I don't know, I was kind of feeling something telling me to get over there," Hood said.

Skaggs was driving by at the time and saw the crash. He reversed into the fireball and helped pull Tobias out.

"I told my wife something had blew up. For some reason, I just jerked the car off to the side, threw it in reverse and took off backwards toward it," Skaggs said.

Tobias lost control of the tanker carrying liquid propane while changing lanes. He survived the explosion with injuries that were not life-threatening.

"This is a striking story of two citizens who were thrown by chance into a life-threatening situation and, without hesitation, knowingly put themselves at risk," Daniels said. "I'm proud to live in the same state with people like this."

Daniels established the Governor's Heroism Award in 2007. There have been about 15 recipients to date.

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