Passers-by rescue woman trapped in burning Jeep outside DC by tearing through cloth roof

Passers-by rescue woman trapped in burning Jeep

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Authorities in Maryland say passers-by rescued a driver from her burning jeep by ripping through the vehicle’s cloth top.

The Jeep was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer Wednesday morning on the beltway around Washington, D.C.

Prince George’s County emergency spokesman Mark Brady says the impact ruptured the Jeep’s fuel tank and started a fire in the rear. The damage also kept the doors from opening and trapped the driver’s foot between the pedals.

One passer-by tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher while others jumped on the Jeep hood and ripped open the rooftop. They were able to lift the driver through the roof before the Jeep was consumed by fire.

The driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.