Petrol station hero: Officer rescues blackout driver as crash car sparks pump blaze

A driver who crashed into a petrol station pump was dragged from his vehicle seconds after it burst into flames.

The hero was John Vescio, a senior investigator with the New York state police, who had been filling up his car at the other side of the pump. He ran a short distance away before returning to free the unconscious driver and drag him from the crashed car - pulling him clear as the flames built.

Even more bravely, he then returned to his own car to remove ammunition from the boot just before his vehicle was engulfed by flames.

"It was hard to think," said Mr Vescio. "I pretty much just reacted. The way I look at it I was doing the right thing."

Following the incident at a petrol station in White Plains, near New York City, the crash driver was reported to have suffered a diabetes-related blackout and was released from hospital after treatment.

State Police Captain Dominick Chiumento said: "Senior Investigator Vescio's response likely resulted in saving the gentleman's life."