Off-duty firefighter single-handedly rescues family of five from car that burst into flames as it crashed on dual carriageway
A firefighter has been hailed a hero by his colleagues after he leapt into action and rescued a family of five from a burning vehicle on a motorway.
Dramatic pictures show the blazing wreckage on the southbound A38 near Chudleigh, South Devon.
Ed Durante, an on-call temporary watch manager with The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service as well as a paramedic with South Western Ambulance Service Trust, was quick to act.
Ed Durante, pictured, 'single-handedly' came to the rescue of a family of five people trapped inside the vehicle
Dramatic pictures show the blazing wreckage on the southbound A38 near Chudleigh, South Devon
Do you know any of the survivors?
Please contact Matt Drake via email on matt.drake@mailonline.co.uk
He then 'single-handedly' came to the rescue of a family of five people trapped inside the vehicle.
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service tweeted out: 'I'm sure more information will come out, but this afternoon our very own @CM-Para E Durante came across a serious RTC Road Traffic whilst off duty.
'He has single-handedly rescued a family of five from a burning vehicle!
'A true hero and legend. Fire control salutes you Ed.'
But the Ivybridge man, a former master butcher, was modest about the response and was quick to praise others involved, including another off-duty officer from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.
He replied: 'Thank you @DSFireUpdates. Important to mention another off duty Firefighter from @CornwallFRS who also rescued casualties.
'So lucky to have large array of off-duty medical clinicians and a police officer stop to assist with the treatment and triage of casualties also.'
The fire service said the incident, which took place at 4.06pm at West Haldon Hill on Sunday involved three fire appliances.
Sources told DevonLive that one person was taken to Derriford Hospital while two others were taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
Area manager and head of response and partnerships for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Gerald Taylor said: 'We'd like to thank all who helped at the incident and hope those who were in the car make a speedy recovery. It's also a timely reminder of the need to take care when driving in heavy rain.'
The fire service said the incident, which took place at 4.06pm at West Haldon Hill on Sunday involved three fire appliances
Do you know any of the survivors?
Please contact Matt Drake via email on matt.drake@mailonline.co.uk
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called to reports of a serious single-vehicle road traffic collision on the A38 near Chudleigh just after 4pm today on June 27.
'The vehicle was reported to be on fire at the scene.
'The collision was also attended by the fire service and ambulance crews.
'The A38 was closed in both directions for a time to allow emergency services to manage the scene but the northbound carriageway was reopened at around 6.15pm.
'Five casualties were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries and three with less serious injuries.
'If you witnessed the collision, have any information or dashcam footage that could help the investigation, please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 646 of Sunday 27 June.'