Pedestrian Santiago Portillo runs to the aid of a trapped man whose car had flipped and hit a lamp post on a California road... AFTER setting up his camera
In an amazing act of selflessness, a passer-by risked his own life to rescue a man who was trapped in a burning car.
Terrifying footage shows an upturned car on fire by the side of a road in Riverside, California.
The flames are roaring high nearest the front of the car.
In an extraordinary turn of events, pedestrian Santiago Portillo ran to the trapped man’s aid.
The fantastic video shows him running to the car and checking to see if anyone is inside.
When he spots the unfortunate driver, he ducks down and pulls the victim away from the flaming wreck.
After initially getting the man out of the car, the man looks around then pulls him further away from the burning vehicle.
The victim tries to get up, but collapses to the ground.
After getting help from another passer-by, the victim is lifted away from the area.
The incredible video shows that he has a large head wound from the accident.
Mr Portillo told Riverside Press Enterprise: “It looked unreal. The black smoke was choking me.
“The car was totalled, everything was collapsed in the car.”
Riverside Fire Battalion Chief Mike Staley said the young man was seriously injured in the crash.
Portillo said that he didn’t seem older than 20.
According to reports, the car hit a lamp post and rolled into a palm tree beside a Mattress Showroom.
Luckily the business was not hit.
Officer Ryan Railsback could not confirm whether the man would be arrested.
It is believed that the driver was speeding.
Portillo has been called a hero after he performed his dramatic rescue.
But the altruistic man was criticised online as he wasted precious seconds setting up his camera to film the amazing act.
Commenting on YouTube, user Spoderman said: “Before I save this man’s life let me get a good angle of it lol.”
Facebook user Sara Boehringer commented: “It’s nice that he saved the guy and all, but seriously… ‘Hold up dying dude, I need to record this so the whole country will call me a hero!’”