Dramatic Police Rescue Caught On Camera - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Dramatic Police Rescue Caught On Camera

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BARNEGAT, N.J. -

A police dashboard camera captured three Barnegat Police Department officers rescuing an 86-year-old driver from a fiery car crash near the Burlington County line.

Police released video of the Aug. 31 crash on Wednesday.

The video begins as a patrol car pulls up to the side of the crash off Route 72 near the Burlington County line.

Two Good Samaritans are seen attempting to get to the victim, who police say is 86-year-old Agnelo Pereira, of Watertown.

Police say the vehicle that left the road struck a tree, but its tires were still spinning at a high speed because the driver, who was unconscious, was still pressing down on the accelerator.

The video shows the officers run into the wooded area and immediately attempt to put out the fire.

Police say Patrolman Nicholas Venuto, a five-year veteran of the department, attempted to get the fire under control, but was unable to get the vehicle open.

The video then shows George Martin and Andrew Parsley, both patrolmen, arrive on scene.

All three officers then ran into the woods and  managed to pull the victim out of the car, all while fighting intense flames and smoke.

"The actions of these three officers is nothing short of heroic," Lt. Keith Germain said in a statement. "Despite that fact, and despite the fact that they were suffering burns and smoke inhalation, they refused to leave that burning vehicle without Mr. Pereira."

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