Utah: A Utah motorcyclist who was pinned under a burning car, expressed his gratitude on Tuesday for the help of strangers who lifted up the the 4,000 pound (1.8 tonne) vehicle to rescue him, in an act of bravery captured on amateur video.
Authorities said 21-year-old Brandon Wright was riding his motorcycle on Monday near the Utah State University campus in Logan when he collided with a black BMW that was pulling out of a parking lot.
Tyre and skid marks on the highway indicate that Wright laid the bike down and slid along the road before colliding with the car, police said.
The bike hit the car's hood and bounced to the ground, while Wright, who was not a wearing helmet, slid under the car and then both vehicles burst into flames, police said.
Wright was pinned to the ground as the flames began to engulf the car.
Chris Garff, a media production specialist for the university, caught the rescue on video.
The 31-year-old was on the 9th floor of a university building shooting a promotional video for the school when he looked out of the window and saw black smoke billowing from the road.
The video shows a crowd of about 10 men and women gathering around the burning car and motorcycle as flames shoot into the air.
Quickly the group places their hands on the car and starts to rock it until it tilts up on its side.
Once the car is on two wheels, a construction worker can be seen dragging a spread-eagled Wright from under the car.
Two officers then move in with fire extinguishers and, moments later, paramedics start to provide Wright with medical care.
Despite not wearing a helmet, Wright's uncle Tyler Riggs said Wright had suffered no head trauma in the accident.
Wright does have two broken legs, a broken pelvis, road rash burns on his left foot and abrasions to his forehead.
Riggs said Wright, who was headed to study at a university computer lab, tried to protect himself by laying his bike down before the collision.
Riggs also said Wright remembers some details from the crash and told the family he felt scared and could see and feel the flames.
"He remembers being under the car, spitting up blood and not being able to talk," Riggs said.
The driver of the BMW, whom police believe was among the group that helped lift the car, suffered only minor injuries.
Authorities said 21-year-old Brandon Wright was riding his motorcycle on Monday near the Utah State University campus in Logan when he collided with a black BMW that was pulling out of a parking lot.
Tyre and skid marks on the highway indicate that Wright laid the bike down and slid along the road before colliding with the car, police said.
The bike hit the car's hood and bounced to the ground, while Wright, who was not a wearing helmet, slid under the car and then both vehicles burst into flames, police said.
Wright was pinned to the ground as the flames began to engulf the car.
Chris Garff, a media production specialist for the university, caught the rescue on video.
The 31-year-old was on the 9th floor of a university building shooting a promotional video for the school when he looked out of the window and saw black smoke billowing from the road.
The video shows a crowd of about 10 men and women gathering around the burning car and motorcycle as flames shoot into the air.
Quickly the group places their hands on the car and starts to rock it until it tilts up on its side.
Once the car is on two wheels, a construction worker can be seen dragging a spread-eagled Wright from under the car.
Two officers then move in with fire extinguishers and, moments later, paramedics start to provide Wright with medical care.
Despite not wearing a helmet, Wright's uncle Tyler Riggs said Wright had suffered no head trauma in the accident.
Wright does have two broken legs, a broken pelvis, road rash burns on his left foot and abrasions to his forehead.
Riggs said Wright, who was headed to study at a university computer lab, tried to protect himself by laying his bike down before the collision.
Riggs also said Wright remembers some details from the crash and told the family he felt scared and could see and feel the flames.
"He remembers being under the car, spitting up blood and not being able to talk," Riggs said.
The driver of the BMW, whom police believe was among the group that helped lift the car, suffered only minor injuries.
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