A HAVE-a-go hero has described the moment he pulled a man out of a burning car and dragged him to safety.

Jawaid Akhtar pulled the man from the BMW moments after it burst into flames after climbing inside.

The 50-year-old said he did not think twice about saving the man but has said he is not a hero and he was “just lucky to be there on time”. Mr Akhtar was returning to his business, Thynne Street Motors, at around 6pm last night when he noticed a silver BMW had crashed into a silver Skoda taxi parked outside, causing both cars to set on fire.

The driver of the BMW, who is believed to be a Bolton-based barrister in his 40s, is thought to have had a seizure and crashed into the stationary vehicle. Mr Akhtar said if he had waited another two minutes the driver, who was unconscious and trapped inside the car, would have been dead.

He said: “Somebody got a car exhaust and smashed the window.

“I was trying to open the door and it wouldn’t open.

“The car was full of smoke inside and I was trying but I couldn’t get his seat belt off.

“I shouted at someone to get the hacksaw and then I thought it was too late as the car went up in flames. I went inside the car and managed to undo the seat belt and then I grabbed him and dragged him out and then everybody ran and we carried him across the road.”

The man was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and was last night in a serious but stable condition.

Firefighters from Bury and Bolton Central were called to the scene, in Thynne Street, at 6pm.

Watch commander Andy Hardman said the man’s quick actions had saved the driver’s life.