Millroy thanks Hartog for saving his life after China GT fire
British driver Ollie Millroy has thanked Dutch rival Luke Hartog for pulling him from his burning car during a race in Shanghai, as both call for safer motorsport.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Twenty minutes into the first race of the China GT Championship in Shanghai, British driver Ollie Millroy's Ferrari burst into flames after a crash. With no safety marshals in sight, Dutch driver Luke Hartog stopped his own car and ran towards the burning wreckage. He tore off the door, grabbed a fire extinguisher and pulled Millroy out within just over a minute. Millroy was treated at the roadside and taken to hospital with multiple fractures, a severe concussion and a collapsed lung. His team, Fist Auto, later criticised the series for its lack of safety assistance, saying another driver should not have had to risk his life. China GT admitted shortcomings and promised a thorough review. Millroy's team also withdrew from races organised by the series.
Eleven days after the crash, Millroy and Hartog gave their first joint interview. Millroy, still recovering in hospital in Shanghai, said he had no memory of the accident but knew he owed his life to Hartog. "I owe you my life, right? He saved my life," he said. He described the rescue as a miracle, adding: "I wouldn't have got out of that car either alive or without significant life-changing injuries if it wasn't for him." Hartog said his actions were instinctive and that he would do it a thousand more times. Millroy's wife, Fern, who watched the crash on television at the family home in Dubai, said the first time she cried was when she spoke to Hartog and realised he had saved her husband, the father of their three young children.
Both drivers said the sport needed to learn from the incident. "I don't think we should have to rely on another driver pulling us out of a burning car," Millroy said. Hartog added that they needed to look out for each other. Millroy's recovery will take time, but he wants to get home and, when ready, return to racing.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| China GT acknowledged shortcomings and pledged to review the accident. | ||
| Luke Hartock rescued Ollie Millroy from the wreckage following the crash. | ||
| Millroy's team criticised the emergency response. | ||
| No safety marshals were visible at the time of the crash. | ||
| Millroy suffered multiple fractures, a severe concussion, and a collapsed lung. | · | |
| Millroy's team withdrew from all China GT races. | · | |
| Ollie Millroy crashed during the first China GT race in Shanghai on Saturday. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV focused on the dramatic rescue footage and the heroic instinct of Luke Hartog, while highlighting the lack of safety marshals and the criticism from Ollie Millroy's team. It also included Ollie's emotional statement from hospital, calling Hartog a superhero.
- “It was a pure instinctive reaction and to realise that whoever's in there, he cannot carry himself out.”
- “I am still alive tonight entirely thanks to one man.”
- “Fist Auto, has hit out at China GT's lack of safety assistance that left another driver having to risk his life.”
BBC ONE West provided the most detailed follow-up, including the first joint interview with both drivers and Ollie's wife. The coverage emphasised the personal impact, the miracle of survival, and the need for safety improvements, while also reporting the team's withdrawal from races.
- “I owe you my life, right? He saved my life.”
- “I wouldn't have got out of that car either alive or without significant life-changing injuries if it wasn't for him.”
- “We need to look out for each other.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.