A MAN has been dragged from his burning vehicle moments before it incinerated.
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The 25-year-old Myrtleford man flipped his vehicle on the Snow Road at Whorouly about 5pm on Thursday.
In a stroke of luck, police officers arrived at the scene moments after the crash.
The orange 2001 model Holden utility was on its roof and alight, with the driver stuck, when they arrived.
They managed to pull the man out of the car through the passenger window just as the vehicle went up in flames.
In a further stroke of fortune, the incident occurred only 500 metres from the nearest fire station.
Leading Senior Constable Shane Hughes said the police investigation would concentrate on alcohol, drugs and speed.
“He was very lucky – if we weren’t there, he would have been burnt in his car because he was stuck,” he said.
“The quick thinking and expertise of the local police who were first on the scene saved him.
“He failed to negotiate the bend, lost control, flipped over, and the car caught on fire.”
The man was taken to Wangaratta Hospital and was flown to Melbourne on Friday with internal injuries.
If emergency services weren’t nearby, it could have taken significant time to get to the scene.
“Who knows would could have happened,” Leading Senior Constable Hughes said.
“Another couple of minutes could have been too long, even just another minute or so.
“The car went up as he was being dragged out.
“We’re still investigating all the factors.
“It’s just a timely reminder for people to pay attention to the roads and the speed limits.”
Leading Senior Constable Hughes is appealing for anyone who witnessed the distinctive orange ute, which was travelling towards Myrtleford, to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
“Any witnesses who were overtaken by this car on the Snow Road should contact us,” he said.
The fire also spread into nearby grass.
Call (03) 5723 0888 or 1800 333 000.