Shortland Street star among rescuers freeing man from burning car

  • 09/01/2017
Orewa car crashed into tree rescuers freed (NZ Police)
The group fought to extinguish the flames and free the driver (NZ Police / supplied)

A group of people, including a Shortland Street actor, are being praised for saving a man's life, pulling him free from a burning car after he crashed north of Auckland on Sunday.

The 28-year-old smashed into a tree on the Hibiscus Coast Highway in Orewa at around 9:30am, and was left unconscious and trapped.

Shortland Street actor Pua Magasiva was among those who stopped to help, along with Michael Williams, Steve Strongman, Joe Parsons, Craig Watson and an off-duty police officer.

Shortland Street actor Pua Magasiva (Facebook)
Pua Magasiva (Facebook)

After Mr Williams managed to revive the driver, the car's engine burst into flames, police say.

"The actions of this brave group of people has no doubt saved this man's life," Acting Inspector Jason Homan says.

"Had it not been for their efforts, it's likely that this young man would have died."

The group fought to extinguish the flames and free the driver, whose leg had been impaled by one of the pedals.

Insp Homan says it serves as a reminder that there are a lot of good people in the world.

"These were ordinary folk doing everyday things, who have been thrust into a situation where they have had to make a decision to stop and help someone in dire need," he says.

The serious crash unit is investigating the cause of the crash.

Newshub.