Illinois officers crawl under burning car to save trapped driver in dramatic Interstate 88 rescue
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In Illinois, early Sunday morning, police officers demonstrated remarkable bravery by crawling under a fiery, overturned vehicle to save a motorist trapped inside following a high-speed collision on Interstate 88, officials reported.

The dramatic rescue unfolded at approximately 3:40 a.m. after an officer conducting a routine patrol noticed a sedan moving rapidly along Route 83 with its lights off. This vehicle then proceeded to exit onto eastbound I-88, according to information from the Oak Brook Police Department.

While the officer attempted to close the gap, he came upon the scene of a crash. The car had flipped over, with flames consuming the entire engine area.

Inside, the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, remained trapped.

Officer walks up to overturned, burning car

An Oak Brook police officer approaches the overturned sedan as flames spit up from its engine compartment, captured by the Oak Brook Police Department.

Police dashcam video shows the officer and other responding Oak Brook officers use fire extinguishers to knock down the flames while working to free the occupant. Officers crawled underneath the overturned vehicle and successfully pulled the driver to safety.

Officers crawling under car wreck

Responding officers crawled underneath the wrecked car to locate the driver. (Oak Brook Police Department)

The driver and two officers suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. All were treated at a local hospital and later released.

Police later confirmed the crashed vehicle was the same one the officer saw speeding on Route 83. Illinois State Police are handling the ongoing crash investigation.

Officers dragging driver to safety

Officers reached the driver and were able to free him before dragging him to safety away from the burning car. (Oak Brook Police Department)

Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis praised the officers for acting without hesitation and putting themselves in harm’s way.

“There is no doubt that their actions saved this individual’s life,” Stockis said. “I am grateful that only minor injuries were sustained, and I could not be more proud of their bravery and professionalism.”

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