SOUTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey (WABC) — Dramatic dashcam video shows the moment South Brunswick, New Jersey police pulled a driver from a burning car, just moments before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
It happened on Nov. 9 when Safwan Islam, 26, suffered a medical episode, crashing his car into a tree along Route 27 in Franklin Township, just across the border from South Brunswick.
Dramatic video shows South Brunswick Police Officer Yash Shroff first to arrive at the scene, using his baton to try to break the driver's window.
"I saw the driver inside. He was unconscious, and bleeding severely from the head. Within minutes, the car started smoking," Shroff said.
Shroff and Officer Thomas Sites were the closest, so they went.
Sites approached, knowing immediately that they have to get the victim out.
"I grabbed the breacher tool from the back of my car, and I smashed both the back the front driver side window," he said.
Video shows flames beginning to flare under the front of the car.
Two iPhones in Islam's car had registered the crash, and auto-dialed 911.
"And then when we get the 911 call on our screen, the plot will show up, and we'll get a notification through the phone call saying the iPhone has been involved in a crash, or an iPhone possibly has been detected in a crash," said South Brunswick Police dispatcher Brittany Kelly.
Officers Shroff and Sites had seconds to save the young man's life. Dash cam video showed their relentless efforts.
"Just glad we got him out… it was just in time," Shroff said.
"In the moment your mind is racing, but at the same time, you kind of have to revert back to your training," Sites said.
Video shows the officers living up to that training, as they drag Islam to safety before the entire car goes up in flames.
Eyewitness News spoke by phone to Islam's father, Naushad Islam, who's by his son's side in the hospital, about the officer's heroics that night.
"Altogether, it's nothing but a miracle. I'm truly grateful if you meet them, please share my gratitude with them," Naushad Islam said.
Safwan Islam is expected to recover.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More Manhattan news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
