In Illinois, police officers undertook a daring rescue in the early hours of Sunday, crawling under a burning car to save a driver trapped after a high-speed collision on Interstate 88, according to officials.
The dramatic incident unfolded around 3:40 a.m. when an officer conducting a routine patrol observed a sedan racing down Route 83 without headlights. The car then veered onto eastbound I-88, as reported by the Oak Brook Police Department.
While trying to catch up with the speeding vehicle, the officer came upon a crashed car that had flipped over, with fierce flames consuming its engine compartment.
The driver, who was the only person in the car, remained stuck inside the wreckage.
An officer from Oak Brook approaches the overturned vehicle, battling flames that are erupting from its engine area. (Oak Brook Police Department)
Dashcam footage from the police vehicle captures the officer, along with fellow Oak Brook officers, using fire extinguishers to subdue the blaze as they worked to extract the driver. The officers bravely crawled beneath the overturned car, ultimately managing to rescue the driver and bring them to safety.
Responding officers crawled underneath the wrecked car to locate the driver. (Oak Brook Police Department)
The driver and two officers suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. All were treated at a local hospital and later released.
Police later confirmed the crashed vehicle was the same one the officer saw speeding on Route 83. Illinois State Police are handling the ongoing crash investigation.
Officers reached the driver and were able to free him before dragging him to safety away from the burning car. (Oak Brook Police Department)
Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis praised the officers for acting without hesitation and putting themselves in harm’s way.
“There is no doubt that their actions saved this individual’s life,” Stockis said. “I am grateful that only minor injuries were sustained, and I could not be more proud of their bravery and professionalism.”
