An A19 burning car rescue unfolded on Bank Holiday Monday when a teenager and two other drivers pulled over and dragged two injured people from a flaming Ford Focus before emergency services arrived. The crash happened near Kirklevington on the southbound carriageway at around 4pm on 31 August.
Car left the road, hit a tree and burst into flames
The 18-year-old was heading to North Yorkshire with his girlfriend when the white Ford Focus in front left the carriageway, became airborne and struck a tree. ‘We were driving along and we saw this car in front just leave the road, get air time and hit a tree,’ he said. ‘It set on fire straight away. I just pulled over in a lay-by and thought like “oh my god this is bad”.’
He was not alone for long. Two other drivers, both older men, had also stopped by the time he got out of his car. The three of them ran straight to the burning vehicle together.
The 18-year-old, an engineering apprentice, helped pull both the driver and passenger clear of the flames. ‘We got the driver and passenger out as quickly as we could and put them on the grass at the lay-by, away from the burning car,’ he said. A baby seat in the back gave him a moment of dread, but there was no child in the vehicle.
Within minutes of the pair being brought to safety, the car was completely engulfed. The trio had got them out just in time.
Emergency response to the A19 burning car rescue
North East Ambulance Service confirmed they received the call at 16:07. Two ambulance crews, one specialist paramedic, one rapid response paramedic and one clinical team leader were dispatched. Both patients were taken to James Cook University Hospital for further treatment.
Cleveland Fire Brigade logged the call at 4.05pm. Four fire appliances attended, from Middlesbrough, Stockton, Thornaby and Coulby Newham. Crews used hose reels to extinguish the flames in the crumpled vehicle, with smoke visible across the scene. The stop call came through at 4.44pm.
Police coned off the road while paramedics worked, and ambulances transported the casualties to hospital. The male driver is understood to have suffered head injuries. His female passenger is believed to have suffered several fractures and was in a very distressed state.
The teenager sat on the grass verge in a ‘bit of shock’ as the emergency crews took over. ‘I just hope they’re both ok and recover from their injuries,’ he said.
Three strangers, one instinct
None of the three drivers knew each other. They had no plan, no coordination, just three people who stopped when it mattered. The A19 burning car rescue lasted only minutes from impact to casualty extraction, with the full blaze taking hold almost immediately after the pair were clear.
The fact that all three pulled over on a fast-moving dual carriageway, in the face of an active fire, and worked together without hesitation is the straightforward reality of what happened here. No drama required.
Cleveland Police have been contacted for further details on the incident.