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Good Samaritans Rescue Driver From Burning SF Wreck

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - A trapped, unconscious San Francisco driver was rescued from a burning car in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood early Monday morning.

Witnesses reported that the man slammed into a light pole at Folsom and 13th around 1:30 a.m. – his car then burst into flames.

Bystanders used a fallen road sign to smash out the windows of his car and a police officer sawed through the man's seat belt to get him free. The car was completely consumed by flames a few moments after he was released.

"I think it's very heroic. I think it's risky. I've seen these fires before in the cars and an explosion could happen at any time. And they still stayed with him, which is incredible."

The driver was hospitalized at San Francisco General Hospital but was expected to survive. He will be booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to SFPD.

(Copyright 2011 by CBSSan Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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