Two Conroe area residents and a police officer were honored Thursday for saving a man from a burning car.

On Oct. 24, Conroe Police Officer Allan Bell saw a car leave the roadway and hit a culvert. The car hit a concrete culvert, flipped in the air and landed in a ditch. The car burst into flames.

Bell raced to the aid of the driver, 29-year old Aaron Puffer. With the help of two area residents, Ignacio Doimguez and Michael Jedrzynski, Puffer was pulled to safety. He was schedule to be released Thursday from the hospital.

“Those two citizens stepped up and literally save a man’s life,” said Mayor Webb Melder. “How many people have a chance to either step up and help or stand by and watch.”

Dominguez, Jedrzynski and Bell received plagues of recognition from the Conroe City Counciil and Bell was awarded a Sergeant and Chief’s coin, a special honor bestowed by member of the Conroe Police Department superiors.

“We want to show the citizens of this community we appreciate their help,” said Police Chief Philip Dupuis. “Without the citizens, we couldn’t do what we do.”