UPDATE: A person critically injured in a car fire in Taranaki this morning has passed away in hospital. Emergency services were alerted to the car fire on State Highway 3 (Mokau Road) at 7.20am today.
Police say a person with serious burns was airlifted to Waikato Hospital but sadly died a short time ago.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish how the car fire started.
A person has been transported to hospital with critical injuries following a car fire this morning.
Emergency services were advised at 7.20am that a car was on fire on State Highway 3 (Mokau Road), between Mimi Road and Waiiti Road. A person in the car sustained serious burns and has been airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
At this stage it is not clear how the car fire started. Police would like to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area this morning and may have information which could assist their enquiries.
If you can help, please get in touch via 105 and quote event number P053073011.
What you should do in a car fire
Debbie Murphy from automedia says the first response to a suspected car fire is to pull over, immediately. “Fire feeds off oxygen and even slow forward motion will force air into the engine compartment, basically stoking the fire. Exploding cars are generally the stuff of crime dramas, but it’s still best to stop in an area away from buildings and people, if you have that option. Burning plastics and other materials can produce toxic gases – maybe not as visually exciting as an explosion, but best not to expose yourself or bystanders. Next, get yourself and passengers out of the car.”
Car fires: What to do in an emergency and how to prevent one
- Pull over as soon as you can do so safely.
- Turn the engine off.
- Get everyone out of the car and stay at least 100 feet away.
- Don’t open the hood. Flames could flare up.
- Call 1-1-1.
- Don’t go back for phones or anything else.