Breaking News
So, who dragged this guy to safety?
Andrew Tillett
16 April 2008
Drama in Newport: the taxi was T-boned by the P-plater-driven Toyota; two men then plucked him out of the car as flames licked the car's bodywork
Picture: COLIN STONE
QUICK thinking by two mystery men saved a P-plate driver as his car burst into flames after a massive accident with a taxi at Newport.
The unknown heroes pulled the trapped man out of his car and extinguished the fire before it engulfed the wrecked Toyota.
Witnesses told The Manly Daily the noise of the impact early on Saturday morning could be heard in nearby streets.
Police believe the 18-year-old Curl Curl P-plater was driving north on Barrenjoey Rd and sped through a red light, smacking the taxi's right front fender as it turned out from Beaconsfield St at about 12.15am.
The taxi had just picked up three passengers from The Newport Arms Hotel and was turning south towards Mona Vale when it was hit. It is believed residents and or passing motorists grabbed the P-plater out of his car as the engine ignited.
A service station attendant put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher while fire crews and police rushed to the scene.
The Beacon Hill cabbie, 33, was found lying on the ground after he slumped out of his seat.
Colin Stone comforted the taxi driver after hearing the crash from his house that overlooks the accident scene.
``It was one of those crashes were there were no skids (which there would have been if the driver had braked in an attempt to avoid the crash),'' Mr Stone said.
``I heard this almighty crash and bang. The taxi driver had half climbed out of the car and was moaning. He was in a full daze and tried to get up and walk away.
``He didn't even know he had passengers in the car.''
Mr Stone said the P-plate driver was lucky to survive. He saw two men help the driver out of his car and a third carry him across to the western side of Barrenjoey Rd.
``When I looked at his car I didn't know how the guy would still be alive,'' he said. ``The front end of the car was so mangled. You could see the flames coming out from under the car by a foot or so. They were just licking around the bottom.
``You see a situation like this and it was really scary.''
Rebecca Walsh was another neighbour alerted by the sound of the accident.
``This woman came running down the hill and said don't go up there, there has been a big accident,'' she said. ``[The scene] was like a horror film. All I could hear were kids screaming.''
The P-plater remained in Royal North Shore Hospital last night in a stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The taxi driver and a male passenger, 20, were also taken to hospital but had since been released.
Northern Beaches police Inspector Bob Bell said investigations into the accident were continuing but he praised the rescuers.
``The actions of the person involved who prevented the vehicle from being fully engulfed were commendable,'' Insp Bell said.
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.
Submit your feedback here:
- So, who dragged this guy to safety?
- Six of the best
- Concerns on youth access to adult store
- Petrol fuels crime surge
- Months of bus corridor delays
- Out, but still smiling
- Gallop backs upgrade
- TV chief in a serious but stable condition
- My hobby has cost $300,000, but gives me a buzz
- Charge no. 2 for Murphy
- Alleged drug bust at Wharf
- If the suit fits, wear it with pride
- Ferries' drag on tourism
- Boss steps in to Slipper breach
- Calls for Games torch review
- Painting the pain away
- Readers support tougher grog laws
- Cameras taste just great to makos
- Operation mattress
- ICAC gives school closure the all-clear
