Residents free woman from blazing car

Police are hailing two Hamilton people as heroes after rescuing a woman from a burning car early today.

The car crashed into a tree and rolled onto its side trapping the driver just after midnight, Senior Sergeant Kevin Anderson of Hamilton police said.

It burst into flames as two local residents came to rescue the 48-year-old woman.

"They found the driver trapped in the car, tried to push the vehicle onto its wheels but the road was too slippery.

"They found a concrete block to smash the rear windscreen and climbed into the car to drag the driver to safety."

Their "quick actions" saved her from serious harm, Mr Anderson said.

"Their actions were courageous whilst having little regard to their own safety."

The woman was taken to Waikato Hospital with minor injuries.

- NZPA