WARNING: Some content may be disturbing to some. Discretion is advised.
Three people, including two police officers, were injured after a car exploded in Austin Tuesday morning.
Police dashcam footage of the explosion was released, showing the moments leading up to the incident and the extent of the damage.
According to police, two officers arrived at a gas station after receiving a possible suicide call by the driver who said that he intended to blow up the car with him inside.
“They did not know the seriousness of the situation, but the 911 call that came in basically stated that he planned to commit suicide by igniting his vehicle with himself inside,” Commander Nick Wright told CBS affiliate KEYE.
As the officers approached the man who was walking towards his car, the man told the officers,
“I think I’m going to set the car on fire.”
The dramatic video shows that the officers attempted to pull the man out of the car but were thrown back from the vehicle by the force of the explosion.
The driver scrambles back into the fiery car but eventually crawls back out, writhing and crying in agony. Police were able to pull him away from the burning car.
An emergency call made by a witness describes the dangerous situation.
“You’ve got a car on fire sitting right next to the fuel pumps? Is that correct?” asks the dispatcher.
“That’s what it looks like, yes.”
The man suffered serious burns and was treated at the Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He is expected to face arson-related charges.
Both officers suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.
“I’m very proud of the officers’ courageous life-saving efforts and relieved their injuries were minor,” Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told NBC affiliate KXAN. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the person they saved.”
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