Racing Driver Rescue: Hero Saves Competitor from Fire

A dramatic rescue unfolded last weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit during a China GT Championship race, when British driver Ollie Millroy became trapped inside his Ferrari after it burst into flames following a multi-car collision. His rescuer wasn't a member of the safety crew, it was a fellow competitor who had been racing against him moments earlier.

Twenty-three-year-old Dutch driver Luke Haartog was driving his Porsche when he spotted Millroy's Ferrari engulfed in flames. Rather than continuing the race, he brought his car to a halt, jumped out, and sprinted toward the burning wreckage.

The crash occurred approximately 20 minutes into the race at Turn 14. Two vehicles collided while battling for position, lost control, and slid into Millroy's Ferrari. The side impact caused the car to spin and immediately catch fire.

Haartog initially attempted to reach Millroy through the driver's side but struggled to extract him from that angle. He then grabbed a fire extinguisher and began spraying the flames surrounding the vehicle. Only after suppressing part of the blaze was he able to reach the driver and pull him from the cockpit.

According to footage from Haartog's onboard camera, the entire rescue operation took approximately 49 seconds from the moment he left his own car until he successfully extracted Millroy from the burning Ferrari.

Millroy, 36, sustained serious injuries in the incident. Reports indicate he suffered broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, injuries to his hand and finger, and lung damage. Additional reports mentioned significant respiratory injuries requiring ongoing treatment at a Shanghai hospital.

Following the incident, Millroy publicly thanked Haartog and made clear that he considers him the person who saved his life. He said he doesn't remember significant portions of the minutes after the crash, but stated that the Dutch driver's act of courage would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Haartog himself downplayed the significance of his actions. According to him, when he saw a car engulfed in a fireball, he didn't feel there was a real decision to make—he simply stopped and ran to help.