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Racing driver pulls rival from burning car after Shanghai crash

China

A Dutch racing driver’s immediate response helped save a British rival after a three-car crash left one vehicle burning during a China GT Championship race in Shanghai on September 5.

About 20 minutes into the race, two cars collided near the end of the Shanghai International Circuit’s long back straight and slid into Ollie Millroy’s path. His Ferrari was struck from the side, caught fire and spun into the barriers.

Loek Hartog stopped his own car and ran to the wreck. Video from the scene shows him removing part of a door, getting a fire extinguisher from a nearby official and working to suppress the flames before pulling Millroy out through the opposite side. The race was stopped and did not resume.

From hospital, Millroy reported five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung. He thanked Hartog for the “selfless act” and said he owed him his life. Hartog said he believed the driver might not be able to escape alone, so there was “never a moment of doubt,” although he acknowledged the rescue was frightening.

The incident also brought scrutiny to the event’s emergency response. China GT organizers admitted shortcomings and said they would investigate the crash and develop more comprehensive plans for race organization, emergency response, rescue and medical services.

Sources

  1. The New York TimesBritish racing driver says he 'owes his life' to rival who rescued him from burning car after crash
  2. The GuardianOllie Millroy says he owes his life to heroic rival who pulled him from burning car at China GT
  3. The TelegraphWatch: Briton pulled from burning Ferrari by fellow racer

Reporting notes

Where this came from

Ollie Millroy's Instagram post

The New York Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph each explicitly identify Ollie Millroy’s Instagram post as the source of his injuries, memory loss and statement that Hartog saved his life.

Loek Hartog's Instagram post

The New York Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph explicitly attribute Hartog’s explanation of why he intervened, and his description of the rescue as terrifying, to his social-media post.

Footage circulated on social media

The New York Times explicitly says that footage circulated on social media appears to show the stages of Hartog’s intervention.

Loek Hartog's onboard footage

The Telegraph explicitly identifies footage from inside Hartog’s car and uses it to provide a detailed sequence of the rescue.

Millroy's team statement

The Guardian and The Telegraph both explicitly quote Millroy’s team confirming that Hartog rescued him from the burning car and criticizing the emergency response.

China GT Championship statement

The Guardian directly quotes the China GT organizer’s statement promising an investigation and plans to address emergency-response shortcomings.