Man pulled from burning car on highway

2012-10-29 11:32

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Cape Town - A Cape Town tow truck driver has pulled a man out of a burning car on a highway, it was reported on Monday.

The Daily Voice reported that Ruan Heynse, 25, lost consciousness when he crashed his car on the N1 highway, near Kraaifontein, on Saturday.

Tow-truck driver Chadley Theron was at an accident scene nearby and rushed to Heynse's vehicle.

"When I got there, the car was on fire. I tried to open the driver's side door, but nothing happened. My face was hot from the heat but I ran to the passenger door and luckily I could get it open," he told the newspaper.

Theron grabbed Heynse by the shoulders and tried to pull him out of the car, but his foot was stuck.

"I kept thinking the car could explode at any moment. Then I immediately called the ambulance and fire department."

Heynse gained consciousness a short while later and told Theron where he lived so his family could be informed.

He was recovering in hospital with a broken leg and burn wounds.

Theron, who turned 37 on Saturday, said he would never forget saving a man's life on his birthday.

- SAPA