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Mystery soldier who saved trucker from burning fuel tanker finally identified

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We now know the identity of the good samaritan who saved a trucker from a burning fuel tanker in Kentucky earlier this month.

The crash occurred in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on May 13th, 2018. However, it was not until May 30, 2018 that Sgt. 1st Class Mario King took credit for his heroic actions.

According to WDRB, King and his wife Sgt. Adriane King, were on their way home from vacation when they arrived at the scene of the crash. The couple serves in the U.S. Army’s Resource Command.

Mario has served three tours in the Middle East in his 17 years of military service, and is the son of a firefighter. He harnessed his instincts to pull off the courageous feat.

Pinned inside the burning semi, the driver was unable to feel or move his legs. King reportedly grabbed him from the waist down and lifted him out.

“I didn’t think about myself at that time,” SFC Mario King said. “I just knew there was a guy who needed some help, and I was willing and able.”

Despite reports that King had driven off after the incident, he dispelled that myth in an interview.

“The truth is I actually stuck around,” King said. “It was just … I didn’t feel the need to be up in the forefront. I really don’t like the spotlight.”

The semi driver’s daughter has been in contact with the Fort Knox hero to thank him. King’s selfless actions can be summed up in his statement:

“Never leave a fallen comrade.”

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