Loek Hartog Rescues Ollie Millroy From Burning Car in China GT Race

Dutch driver Loek Hartog pulled British rival Ollie Millroy from a burning Ferrari after a major crash during the first China GT race in Shanghai on Saturday. The Guardian reported that Millroy credited Hartog with saving his life after the incident, which led officials to stop the race and prompted fresh scrutiny of the event's emergency response.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANWKb0yQNSE

The crash occurred about 20 minutes into the race. According to The Guardian, two cars collided before Millroy's Ferrari was hit heavily from the side and caught fire. The race was red-flagged, but trackside safety personnel had not reached the wreck when Hartog stopped his own car and moved toward the flames.

Hartog first tried to reach Millroy from the driver's side and removed part of a door. He then took a fire extinguisher from a nearby official, fought the flames and went to the other side of the damaged car, where he was able to pull Millroy free. The race did not restart after the crash.

Millroy was taken to hospital for treatment. In a social-media post cited by The Guardian, the 35-year-old said he had five broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken hand and finger, and a bruised lung. He also said he could not remember the period beginning shortly before the impact and lasting for about an hour afterward. Hartog, 23, said in his own post that he believed the driver might be unable to escape without help and that he did not hesitate to stop.

Millroy's team, FIST Auto, said it would not take part in future China GT races until it had discussed safety concerns with the organizers. The team also disputed an account given during the live broadcast that the drivers had left their cars without assistance, stating that Hartog had rescued Millroy from the burning vehicle.

China GT's organizers acknowledged shortcomings after the abandoned race. In a statement reported by The Guardian, they said the accident would be reviewed and investigated, with plans to address deficiencies in event organization, support, emergency response, rescue operations and medical services. No further timetable for that review was detailed in the report.