PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
A Good Samaritan pulled two people trapped inside a burning car to safety minutes before the car became fully engulfed in flames Sunday.
It all happened early just after 2 a.m. near the intersection of Northwest Burnside and Uptown Terrace in Portland.
According to witness reports, the car spun out of control at a high rate of speed, landed on its side and caught fire.
"Everything happened so quickly, afterwards I took a deep breath, and said, 'Wow, did that just happen?'" said witness Nathan Avenetti.
"The car was immediately in flames and there was smoke coming from engine, and then it started spreading to the cabin where the victims were," said Avenetti.
Avenetti knew time wasn't on his side, so he raced to rescue both victims, Abraham Pineda and Rachel Hargone.
The two were trapped and unconscious inside of the burning car.
"I was able to talk her up and out of the driver's passenger window because the door was jammed shut and I couldn't get it open. After I pulled her out, I tried to comfort her and let her know everything was going to be OK," said Avenetti.
By that time, Avenetti says, flames had spread fast to the car's interior and began to burn the driver's feet.
"I saw his foot flop in flame, right after I pulled her out, and I think that sparked something in his body that told him to wake up and get out right now," said Avenetti.
Pineda was able to get himself out of the car, and Avenetti walked him to where Hargone was waiting for first responders.
Portland fire crews say without Avenetti's quick action, both people in the car likely would have died before help ever arrived.
The modest hero says he'd do it all over again and is just grateful he was at the right place at the right time.
"I'm just so thankful they're alive and I was there to help," said Avenetti.
Hargone and Pineda were rushed to the hospital with what were described as traumatic injuries.
Their condition as of Tuesday has not been released.
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