Bill Hinish will awake tomorrow morning with a deeper appreciation of Christmas.

Just after noon Nov. 7, the chief of Circleville Volunteer Fire-Rescue Company in North Huntingdon was cruising on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Breezewood in his sports utility vehicle, listening to the chatter of three young passengers.

Daughters Jennifer, 9, and Melissa, 15, and Hanna Raling, 10, a teammate on their Penns Forest soccer squad, were on the way to a youth tournament in Richmond, Va.

Mr. Hinish, 40, was chuckling and stealing glances at the rear view mirror to check on his wife, Lori, who was following behind in a car being driven by family friend Lisa Raling. He was unaware that in a few minutes, he would put his life at peril.

According to the state police, Johnny Guitar Foor, 37, a turnpike employee, was driving a turnpike truck, that had been equipped with a crash attenuator, or buffer, to protect it from being struck from behind. The truck was being used as a safety vehicle in the right lane at milepost 159. A tractor-trailer operated by William H. Watkins, 63, of Brownsville, Fayette County, approached.

Despite proper signs identifying an upcoming work zone, police said Mr. Watkins failed to move to the left lane and his rig struck the attenuator. Mr. Foor's truck and attenuator went about 115 feet before coming to rest.

Mr. Watkins' tractor-trailer went into the concrete center barrier and traveled about 215 feet before it erupted into flames, police said. The rig was destroyed along with its contents, canned and packaged food.

The Bedford Gazette reported that Mr. Foor, 37, sustained a moderate injury and Mr. Watkins a minor injury. But the situation looked a lot worse at first.

Here's how Mr. Hinish recalled the incident:

"I saw a huge flash, another flash, and another ... then smoke, lots of thick, black smoke," Mr. Hinish recalled, "All of a sudden, I see this trailer truck on fire, skidding wildly along the Jersey barrier throwing sparks and spraying diesel fuel, sliding toward us.

"We stopped, I jumped out of my SUV, called 911. Tires were exploding from the heat, both fuel tanks were ruptured. Leaking fuel was catching fire on the highway. The fire was engulfing the entire rig.

"The cab was smashed, jammed against the barrier. Through the smoke, I saw the driver was just sitting there, not sensing his life was in danger. I started yelling at him, 'Get outta there! Get out!'

"He didn't move.

"I thought he was hurt. Instinctively, I jumped up on the barrier and climbed onto the hood. The driver kept looking at me. He didn't say a word. He was dazed, confused, probably in shock.

"He wasn't pinned under the steering wheel. I kept yelling at him. He finally understood. He squirmed out from under the wheel. I Ieaned into the cab, grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him out through the front window. We jumped to safety together."

For his efforts, Mr. Hinish was recognized by the state House of Representatives. Rep. James E. Casorio, D-North Huntingdon, sponsored and presented a citation to Mr. Hinish during a special ceremony.

"The exemplary actions taken by Chief Hinish in November demonstrate the nature of the thousands of volunteer first responders who are serving their communities across Pennsylvania," Mr. Casorio said.

."Pennsylvania's volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies don't just save, Pennsylvanians millions of dollars each year, they save scores of lives. And they do it because they are manned by individuals like William Hinish."

Mr. Watkins is thankful that he was nearby on that November day.

"I knew what was happening," Mr. Watkins recalled over the telephone from his home. "I could see fire through my side mirrors. Somehow, though, I could not comprehend anything ... I was in shock, I guess.

"He kept hollering, 'Get out! Get out! You gotta get out before it explodes.' "

"You bet I'm grateful. If it wasn't for him, well, I just don't know.

"The truck is gone. I'm out of business. But I'm still here to talk about it. Yes, indeed, this Christmas is special."

An hour or so passed before the trip to Virginia resumed. Only this time, Mr. Hinish was not driving the SUV.

"Bill's adrenaline still was running sky high," Mrs. Hinish said. "Standing there, watching that rig burn up. I guess he realized he had risked his life.

Circleville Assistant Fire Chief William Sombo said Mr. Hinish's deed has been nominated for recognition by two national firefighter organizations.

"I'm humbled by all this fuss," Mr. Hinish said. "I reacted just like any trained firefighter would; do what comes naturally.

"Just knowing that driver is alive and safe makes this Christmas special."