Photographer rescues driver from SUV engulfed by flames

LOS ANGELES -- A photographer who caught a fiery car crash on camera on a California Freeway ended up saving the life of a driver.

Freelance videographer Austin Raishbrook said he jumped into action just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday after seeing a vehicle strike a dark-colored SUV that appeared to be stalled, without its lights on, on the northbound 110 Freeway, KTTV reports.

The SUV burst into flames. The driver was trapped inside. Raishbrook put his camera down, grabbed his fire extinguisher and a flashlight and ran across the freeway.

"I just got met with flames and smoke, so I took a deep breath, went back in, managed to pull his shoulder belt down and rip him out," Raishbrook said.

He pulled the victim out of the burning vehicle just before it was fully engulfed by flames.

The driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. He is expected to be OK.

"I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to get him out," Raishbrook said.

After the crash, California state troopers called Raishbrook to thank him for his rescue efforts.