AUSTIN, TX — Representative John Carter presented the Carnegie Hero Medal to Allen Sirois last week.
“Allen Sirois embodies the word hero,” Rep. Carter said. “He ran towards danger and didn’t think twice when someone needed his help. Because of his brave actions, a man is alive and able to be with his family. I was immensely proud to present Allen with the Carnegie Hero Medal for his valiant actions. I can’t think of a more deserving recipient.”
Sirois was the only Texan of the 18 awarded. Sirois was only 20 years old when he pulled a man out of a concrete mixer truck that was on fire in May of 2018.
Sirois, a native of Salado, arrived on scene that day to find an concrete mixer on fire. The driver of the truck, 60-year-old Melvin Belcher, was trapped inside. Sirois jumped into action and kicked a small hole in the windshield to pull Belcher out.
He got Belcher halfway out when another man ran to the scene to help. Both men were able to recover from the incident.
"I was raised to help people and when I saw a burning truck on the side of I-35, I knew I had to do something," said Allen Sirois. "Receiving the Carnegie Hero Award is an honor, but the real reward is knowing that Melvin Belcher survived and he is able to see his granddaughter's birthday. I appreciate Congressman Carter for presenting the medal to me with my family."
The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. With this third announcement of 2019 recipients, a total of 10,117 Carnegie Medals have been awarded since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904.
