2 passersby rescue woman from burning car along I-74

A woman whose car crashed and caught fire was rescued Thursday by two passersby who teamed up to pull her from the vehicle and extinguish the flames, Indiana State Police said.

Jasmine Meagher of Indianapolis drove her SUV off Interstate 74 on Indianapolis' southeast side around 1 a.m. and the vehicle struck a cable barrier in the median and caught fire, police said.

One of the passersby, Craig Gay, entered the SUV through a passenger door, cut the seatbelt off Meagher and pulled her to safety while John Goretskiy of Massachusetts drove back the flames with a fire extinguisher, police said.

Both men then assisted the woman until first responders arrived, police said. She was taken to a hospital.

Gay was treated at the scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation. His residence was not disclosed.

“If it wasn’t for these two men we could be investigating a fatal crash this morning, their heroic actions and selfless response saved a life,” State Police Sgt. Jon Caddell said.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused Meagher to drive off the road and strike the cable barrier, police said.