Hartog Rescues Millroy From Burning Car in China GT Crash

Dutch driver Loek Hartog pulled British rival Ollie Millroy from a burning Ferrari after a major crash during the opening China GT race in Shanghai on Saturday. BBC Sport and The Guardian reported that Hartog stopped his own car and ran to help after Millroy’s car was struck from the side and caught fire.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35a1BfRUT1g

The collision occurred about 20 minutes into the race after two other cars came together near turn 14 and then hit Millroy’s Ferrari. The race was red-flagged and did not restart. Reports said Hartog first tried to reach Millroy from the driver’s side before moving around the car as the fire continued.

Hartog took a fire extinguisher from an official, fought the flames and pulled Millroy from the opposite side of the wreck. The 23-year-old later said he believed the trapped driver might not be able to escape without help and that he had no doubt about stopping. Millroy was assisted away from the car and transported to hospital.

Millroy later reported that he had broken five ribs, his collarbone, a hand and a finger, and had also suffered a bruised lung. He said he could not remember the period from roughly 30 seconds before the impact until about an hour afterward. In a social-media message, the 35-year-old credited Hartog’s immediate response with saving his life.

The incident also prompted questions about the response at the circuit. Millroy’s team, FIST Team AAI, said no safety marshals or fire crews had reached the car when Hartog began the rescue. The team announced that it would not take part in future China GT races until it had discussed its safety concerns with the championship’s organizers.

China GT acknowledged shortcomings following the abandoned race. In a statement reported by The Guardian, organizers said they would review and investigate the accident and develop more comprehensive plans covering race organization, emergency response, rescue support and medical services. Hartog, meanwhile, played down his own actions and said he believed many people in the same position would have responded similarly.