Fiery crash claims life of LV woman

Friday, April 30, 1999 | 11:45 a.m.

John McGarry, 76, was flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with burns over 50 percent of his body. He was listed in critical condition.

Helen McGarry died at the accident scene in the Spokane Valley, the State Patrol said. Her age was not immediately available.

McGarry was on fire when rescuers managed to pull him out of the car.

The McGarrys were eastbound when their vehicle suddenly drove off the road, through a fence and about 300 yards across a field before it wedged itself between some trees, witnesses said.

The car then burst into flames. Rescuers suffered burns as they pulled McGarry out.

"The driver started crawling out. I helped him get out," said passerby Michael Webb.

"The woman was trapped in the passenger seat," Webb said. "I tried to break the window on her side, but there was nothing to break the window with.

"By that time the whole inside of the car was in flames."

"I tried to run as fast as I could and take the fire extinguisher, but it was too late," said rescuer Jackie Whitney.

The accident was under investigation.

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