Hero bystanders pull an unconscious stranger from his vintage car after it slammed into oncoming traffic and burst into flames
- The Sydney father, 45, was heading to a car enthusiast show to showcase his car
- After losing control and swerving into oncoming traffic, his car erupted in fire
- His own young son joined efforts to free his dad, after travelling in a separate car
- Police inspector said that the driver would have died without onlookers help
A driver is fighting for his life after his vintage car erupted into flames on a busy Sydney road.
Charles Williamson, 45, was on his way to the Rotary Revival car show in Eastern Creek, when his vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic on King Georges Road, Hurstville, around 6am this morning.
‘That car was coming straight for me,’ witness Anthony Musumeci said, after the car clipped his fishing boat.
A driver, passionate about cars, is now fighting for his life after his vintage car erupted into flames on a busy Sydney road
‘I was looking at his headlights… I don’t know how I managed to avoid it.’
Mr Williamson’s beloved Vintage Mazda immediately burst into flames after it clammed into the medium strip, trapping him inside the engulfed vehicle.
CCTV footage shows horrified onlookers rush to save the man, risking their own lives.
‘Is anyone there?’ Mr Musumeci repeatedly yells, as he approaches the flames.
Mr Williamson’s beloved Vintage Mazda immediately burst into flames after it careered into the medium strip, trapping him inside the engulfed vehicle
Mr Williamson had the help from his son (pictured), who was one of the first on the scene, desperately using a hose to try and put out the fire
‘I can’t get him out!’ responded another distressed onlooker.
But Mr Williamson had the help from his son, who was one of the first on the scene, desperately using a hose to try and put out the fire.
His son was travelling in a separate car, closely behind.
It took almost five minutes to pull the unconscious Mr Williamson out of his burning car.
But police say it could have been much worse for the dad, if it hadn’t been for the brave bystanders.
Mr Williamson was headed for the Rotary Revival car show, which boasted of around 500 attendees, where his own vehicle would have taken centre stage throughout the event
Instead, he is now fighting for his life with critical burns in Royal North Shore Hospital, after being transferred from St George Hospital
‘The onlookers did an exceptional job and without their efforts, the driver of that vehicle would certainly be deceased already,’ Chief Inspector Leonard Jones told 9 News.
Mr Williamson was headed for the Rotary Revival car show, which boasted of around 500 attendees, where his own vehicle would have taken centre stage throughout the event.
But instead, he is now fighting for his life with critical burns in Royal North Shore Hospital, after being transferred from St George Hospital.
A NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that their investigations are still ongoing, but ‘speed may be considered a factor in the crash.’