Hunt For Fireball Man With 'Terrible Injuries'

Police believe a man who fled a burning car after it crashed into a garden, leaving two people dead, may have "terrible" injuries and needs urgent medical attention.

Five people were in a Renault Megane car which overturned and burst into flames outside a house in the village of Branton, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Two occupants died and one was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after he scrambled, still on fire, from the burning car.

The flames engulfing him were put out by local residents.

South Yorkshire Police said they are extremely concerned for two other occupants who fled the scene.

No-one has presented to hospitals but at least one of the men is seriously hurt and may be in a life-threatening condition.

Inspector Steve Askham said: "From the witness accounts we have so far, one of the men had a terrible leg injury, which we believe was caused by the fire.

"People have told us the men were seriously injured and we believe they need urgent medical attention due to the impact of the crash and also the fire.

"No one has presented themselves at hospital with these injuries or at our local GPs, so the likelihood is that these men are still suffering with serious injuries, which could be life-threatening and have terrible consequences.

"I urge them to come forward to get the treatment they need.

"Also, I urge anyone who knows where these men are to come forward and tell us what you know so that we can ensure they are safe and well."

Inspector Askham asked anyone in the area at the time of the crash who took photographs or moving footage of what happened to come forward.

The officer said he was unable to confirm who was sitting where inside the car and work is ongoing to formally identify the two men who died.

Michael Burton has described how his girlfriend was in the house when the car smashed through the front wall of his garden and burst into flames.

He said the rockery in front of the house probably stopped the vehicle smashing into the building itself and setting it on fire.

The 21-year-old said his parents, who own the detached house, are on holiday in Tenerife.

Mr Burton said: "From what I heard, she (his girlfriend) actually saw the driver get out of the car, burning alive.

"He ran across the road to the lady across the road and she did a sterling job to help the guy.

"If it wasn't for her, he would have been another fatality."