Loek Hartog is being praised as a “superhero” after stopping during a race in Shanghai to rescue fellow driver Ollie Millroy from a car that had burst into flames.

The drama unfolded on Saturday in the China GT series, when Millroy, a 36-year-old British driver, was caught up in a multi-car crash in his Ferrari. After the impact, the vehicle was engulfed in fire, and the danger was made worse because there were no safety marshals nearby.

Hartog, a 23-year-old Dutch competitor, immediately stopped and ran to the burning Ferrari. He first tried to get Millroy out through the driver’s side door. When that failed, he took a nearby fire extinguisher and sprayed down the flames enough to reach Millroy from the other side and pull him free.

Millroy later shared his gratitude on social media, writing, “I owe my life to you.”

He added, “Loek Hartog stopped instantly with no flag marshals or fire crews in sight, and risked his own life to get me out of the car. I don’t remember anything between 30 seconds before the crash and 1 hour after it, but I will remember his incredible act of bravery for the rest of my life.

“One day I will tell our three kids this story, and Loek will be the biggest superhero in history in their eyes too.”

Millroy said the crash left him with five broken ribs, along with injuries to his collarbone, hand and finger, as well as a bruised lung.

Hartog responded on social media by saying Millroy had nothing to thank him for and that he hoped anyone else would have acted the same way.

“I wish to live in a world where this would not be considered as bravery but as instinct of others too,” Hartog wrote.

“I am so thankful to have been right at the place I needed to be in space and time.”

According to the Chinese-owned news website Global Times, organisers of the China GT Championship said they would examine “shortcomings” in the series’ safety protocols along with other areas needing improvement.

In a statement, organisers said, “After the race, we will further review and investigate the accident and formulate more comprehensive plans to address shortcomings in competition organisation, support, emergency response, rescue and medical services,” organisers said in a statement.