This stunning video footage shows a lorry driver saving a woman from a burning car - moments before it exploded.
The incident happened at junction 21 of the northbound carriageway on the M1 on January 17 last year.
John Rastrick, who lives in Chesterfield, saw the crash happen in front of him during the evening rush hour.
Today video footage of the blaze has been released by the East Midlands Ambulance Service, reports DerbyshireLive.
It shows the the car in flames on the motorway with 27-year-old driver Pari Mistry trapped inside.
With no time to spare, Mr Rastrick leapt from his van and ran towards the burning vehicle. He only had moments to save the young woman.
John was met with thick smoke and flames, which were rapidly engulfing the car, and found Pari curled up in the driver’s seat in a state of shock.
His quick-thinking saw him drag the woman from the car to safety with the help of other motorists.
Within 29 seconds of rescuing Pari, the car exploded.
Almost a year on from the shocking incident, John is set to be presented with a special award in recognition of his heroic act.
John said: “I saw her car spin two or three times when another car collided with her and her vehicle immediately set on fire.
“I just knew at that moment that there was no one else around to help and I had to do what was right.
“I hoped to God that whoever was in the car had got out, but when I saw Pari in there, I put all my fears aside and tried to pull her out.”
Pari, who had been on the way to meet her husband for dinner, spent four days in a critical care unit at Coventry and Walsgrave General Hospital with a fractured skull.
She underwent an eight-hour operation on her skull and then had to learn to walk and talk again.
Pari is now on the road to recovery and was delighted to have the opportunity to thank John for saving her life.
She said: “I don’t remember much from the incident, apart from what I have been told but I know I immediately thought I was going to die.
“For my family, this incident was especially hard as we are all really close. With their support and help, I was able to persevere with my recovery and say thank you to John in my own words.
“Being able to say thank you to John and the crew for what they did means so much, I never thought I would get the chance.
“John didn’t just save my life. He saved the lives of my mum, dad and brother too.”
John added: “To know how far Pari has come in just one year since the accident is so amazing to see.”
