Police praise Pua Magasiva and rescuers, who saved a man trapped in a burning car

Publish Date
Monday, 9 January 2017, 4:21PM
Photo / NZ Herald

Photo / NZ Herald

Shortland St and Flava radio star, Pua Magasiva, has described the moment he and others pulled a man from a cumpled, burning car wreck, after the vehicle smashed into a tree north of Auckland.

"The car was on fire, so we were trying to get him out as quick as we could because - you never know - it could've blown up," Pua Magasiva told the Herald.

Police are praising members of the public, including Magasiva, who helped to free the man after the crash about 9.30am on the Hibiscus Coast Highway yesterday.

A 28-year-old man, the only person in the car, had veered off the road and smashed into a large tree, police said. The car burst into flames.

"The force of the collision was so great it pushed the engine bay back into the driver, pinning him into the seat and impaling his leg with one of the pedals,'' said Rodney police acting Inspector Jason Homan.

He said the actions of other motorists likely saved the driver's life.

Motorist Michael Williams was heading south in a campervan when he saw the crash.

He stopped and immediately tried to wake the unconscious driver.

An off-duty police officer happened to arrive at the scene shortly afterwards, as well as other members of the public - including Magasiva.

Read the full story here

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