VANCOUVER -- A neighbor pulled a man from the wreckage after his car crashed and caught fire early Saturday morning in Vancouver, police said.
Just before 2 a.m. police received the report that a vehicle with three adults inside had crashed into a traffic pole at Grand Boulevard and McLoughlin Boulevard, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
Neighbor James Bray heard the crash and ran out to help. During the three minutes it took emergency crews to arrive at the scene, he was able to pull the driver to safety.
"I pulled out a little Leatherman out of my pocket with a little tiny blade on it, cut the last belt, pulled him out of the window and dragged him away from the car," said Bray.
The driver, 22-year-old Brian J. Hall, had already suffered severe burns.
Hall was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, were he was last reported in critical condition.
The VPD Traffic Unit was investigating the crash and did not say if alcohol or drugs were factors.
