Wilmington restaurant owner honored for heroism

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County restaurant owner is being honored by patrons after he helped pull a woman from her burning car.

On Sunday morning, Jay Muxworthy helped to pull Melissa Henderson and her children from her car after it crashed into a tree in Wilmington. Henderson’s daughter survived the crash, but her 13-month-old son did not survive. Muxworthy owns Flaming Amy’s, a chain of restaurants in Wilmington and Carolina Beach.

“The woman was unconscious. Able to get her out,” said Hunter Gordon, one of Muxworthy’s employees. “This while the car was catching on fire and was able to also get out the two year old and then the car went completely into flames.”

While pulling Henderson from the car, Muxworthy suffered burns to his head, face and forearms. Patrons are now showing their support at the businesses. 

UNC Health Care spokesman Tom Hughes told the AP Muxworthy and Henderson were each listed in good condition Thursday.