Speaking in the aftermath of Thursday's crash Bradley Smith said he had heard a noise and fearing it was a motorcycle crashing into a bridge just south of their home he donned a head lamp and went to investigate.
Finding nothing amiss he drove his ute back past the home to check the highway to the north.
Driving past the actual crash site he smelt smoke.
"I skidded round and could see a cloud of smoke crossing the roadway so I rushed home and grabbed two fire extinguishers while my father dialled 111."
Back at the crash Bradley emptied the two extinguishers onto the flames but they made little, or no, impression.
"They dulled the blaze a bit but did nothing really."
Seeing the driver, and only occupant, slumped over the wheel with flames licking around him Bradley made a split second decision.
"I tried to open the driver's door but the handle had disintegrated so I pulled down on the top of the door, wrenching it back and the window popped.
"I had to lean inside and undo his seatbelt - which was very awkward - and pull him out through the window legs first."
Although the driver was not of heavy build Bradley said being unconscious he was unable to help at all with his own extraction from the Toyota Rav4.
"He was completely limp and his arms were trapped under the steering wheel, so getting him out was a bit of a mission."
All the time the rescue was being done the fire was building in intensity and by the time the driver was on the grass roadside out of harm's way the car was fully engulfed in flames.
Police, St John ambulance and the Eketahuna Fire Brigade were soon on hand and the car was doused.
Bradley said it was a relief for him to see the injured driver opening his eyes and moving his legs.
The driver, aged 17, was taken by ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital where he was described late yesterday as being in a stable condition in the intensive care unit.
Emergency services staff were unanimous in their praise for Bradley, describing the car fire as being so fierce "it looked like something out of a movie".
Eketahuna Fire Chief Max Mayer said Bradley had to do what he did "otherwise we would have had a dead young man".
Although people should not attempt to touch or interfere with injured people in crashes it was a different story if a life was in imminent danger, he said.
Eketahuna police constable Donna Olliver said she was sure moves would be made to formally give Bradley the recognition he deserved for his outstanding bravery.
"There is no doubt he saved a life," she said.
Yesterday it was business as usual for Bradley, who travels from Eketahuna each day to Palmerston North where he works as a drainlayer.
Initial police reports suggest the Toyota Rav4 had drifted off the road as it headed south on to the grass verge, hitting a deep culvert. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
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