Updated: 11:23pm – A police officer and member of the public freed a man from a burning car shortly before it exploded in Papakura, south Auckland.
Counties Manukau south police Inspector Dave Glossop said the car had caught fire after going off the road, and then down a bank through fences and into a paddock on Friday about 3.50pm.
Constable Jenny Sinclair and a member of the public were first at the scene on Papakura-Clevedon road, near Heard Road.
The pair were able to pull the driver out from the passenger side.
When they were just metres away the car exploded, firing debris in all directions, Glossop said.
Other emergency services, including a rescue helicopter and ambulance, arrived shortly after and the driver was taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition, he said.
Glossop said police were “extremely proud” of Sinclair and the good Samaritan, who would be formally thanked at a later time.
“Their actions saved a life,” he said.
The driver is being treated in hospital and his condition is listed as serious.
Papakura-Clevedon Road had been closed between Hamlin and Heard Roads as a result of the crash.
– Stuff
Featured image: A 27-year-old man was pulled from a burning car shortly before it exploded.NZ POLICE
