Tuesday, March 05, 2002

A 75-year-old Austin man was rescued from his burning car by an Austin man and an Albert Lea man Monday.

According to Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp, the man’s burning car was discovered in a ditch in front of a business in the 2200 block of 31st Street SW by the Albert Lea man.

The Albert Lea man checked the car for passengers, and with the help of an Austin man working at the business, pulled the 75-year-old man out of the car and kept him wrapped in blankets and coats until an ambulance arrived.

The victim was taken to Austin Medical Center, where he told police he had consumed three or four glasses of vodka earlier in the day. A blood test was taken and results are expected in three or four weeks.

Police reports gave no indication of why the man’s car was on fire.

Call Amanda L. Rohde at 434-2214 or e-mail her at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com