Hero Lorry Driver Saves Woman Seconds Before Fiery Car Blast
Chesterfield lorry driver John Rastrick pulled off a miracle when he rescued a 27-year-old woman from her burning car just seconds before it exploded on the M1.
Seconds to Act as Car Goes Up in Flames
On the evening of 17 January 2019, John was driving northbound on the M1 at 5.43pm when a crash ahead ignited a car. Pari Mistry, trapped inside, was engulfed by thick smoke and flames.
Without hesitation, John jumped from his cab and rushed to the blazing vehicle. Battling smoke and heat, he found Pari terrified and curled up in the driver’s seat.
Quick Thinking Saved Her Life
John, with help from other motorists, pulled Pari to safety. Just 29 seconds later, the car exploded in a fireball.
Pari was rushed to Walsgrave General Hospital. She spent four days in critical care, suffering a skull fracture. After an eight-hour operation, she had to relearn how to walk and talk.
Friendship Born from Tragedy
John and Pari have stayed close friends ever since. This morning, they reunited with the heroic emergency crew who arrived on the scene. The team includes paramedics Katie Brown and Trevor Hawkes, technician Ian Brummel, trainee technician James O’Neil, Duty Operations Manager Darren Alderton, Dr Matt Woods, and call handler Joanne Keenan.
