“The State Patrol is grateful that the driver is ok due to the heroic actions of the individuals who stopped to help,” police told PEOPLE
A group of bystanders sprung into action to help save a man who was trapped in a burning car following a crash in Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Patrol told PEOPLE in a statement that the crash occurred along I-94 in St. Paul around 6:30 p.m. local time, when a Honda drifted to the right, left the road and struck a light pole before bursting into flames.
Kadir Tolla, one of those bystanders, told FOX affiliate KMSP-TV that he didn’t expect that his commute to meet with clients would end up turning him into a hero. But when he saw the fiery crash, he wanted to help because “that could be me one day.”
Luckily, another bystander was able to smash the glass while Tolla and others pulled the driver, identified by the Minnesota State Patrol as 71-year-old St. Paul resident Samuel Orbovich, to safety just as the flames were going inside the car.
“I’m glad he got out in time,” Tolla told KMSP-TV of the rescue.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that the driver did not sustain any serious injuries, but was still transported to Regions Hospital for further evaluation.
“The State Patrol is grateful that the driver is ok due to the heroic actions of the individuals who stopped to help. These types of incidents can happen anywhere and at any time and that’s why we always need motorists to remain vigilant,” Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Jill Frankfurth told PEOPLE in a statement.
“The actions of those who pulled this motorist from the burning car demonstrates the importance and willingness of people throughout Minnesota looking out for each other,” the official added. “We are thankful that everyone remained safe.”