A heroic act by Dutch GT3 driver Loek Hartog possibly saved the life of fellow driver Ollie Millroy on Saturday evening. During a race in the GT championship in Shanghai, Millroy’s Ferrari was involved in a severe crash, after which the car immediately caught fire. Hartog saw what happened and immediately got out of his own car to rescue Millroy from the flames. The Brit was seriously injured but emphasized that Hartog possibly prevented a much more serious outcome.
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“I am still alive thanks to one man,” Millroy wrote from the hospital on social media. “Loek (Hartog, ed.) stopped immediately, while there were no track marshals or fire crews in sight, and risked his own life to pull me out of the car.” Footage from Hartog’s car shows Millroy seemingly unconscious being rescued from the wreck. He can hardly remember the incident. “But I will never forget this incredibly heroic act.”
‘I owe you my life’
Millroy ultimately broke five ribs, his collarbone, hand, and a finger, and also suffered a bruised lung. In China, he will have to undergo several surgeries. He says he owes his survival entirely to Hartog. “One day I will tell this story to our three children, and then Loek will also be the greatest superhero of all time in their eyes,” Millroy continued. “Thank you, Loek. I owe you my life after this selfless act.”
The 23-year-old Hartog also responded to the incident via social media. “Thanks to everyone who has contacted me after today,” he began. “What happened in the race was terrifying to see, and I am incredibly glad that Ollie (Millroy, ed.) is okay. I just returned from visiting him in the hospital. Motorsport can quickly remind you that some things are much more important than racing. I have received many messages about what happened today, so I wanted to share my perspective.”
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‘There was no moment of doubt’
“When I saw a car ahead of me turn into a huge fireball, I had no other choice,” Hartog explained. “Based on what I had seen, I genuinely believed the driver might not be able to get out on his own. I stopped, got out, and walked to the car. There was no moment of doubt. And looking back, I am especially grateful for the people around me who have taught me throughout my life and career that there are more important things than racing and especially to live in the moment. This is how that feels.”
“It was scary. There were moments when I didn’t know if I would be able to get Ollie out,” Hartog admitted. “But this is not about what I did, and I am sure many people in the same situation would have reacted exactly the same way. I am just grateful that I happened to be in that place at that moment. It also gives you a huge appreciation for the safety standards we sometimes take for granted. When you see such a severe accident and such a big fire, you realize exactly why it all matters. The most important thing: Ollie is okay. The day could have ended very differently. I am incredibly grateful that it didn’t.”
Loek Hartog did help by stop to the scene and tried to let Ollie Millroy escape from the burning car. A fast reaction from Hartog & glad to see how he helped straight away. Loek Hartog really deserves big credit for this & hope for better quick recovery for Ollie Millroy.… pic.twitter.com/lrLz7yD2t4
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— Ari TH Feeder アリ TH フィーダー (@AriTHFeeder) September 5, 2026
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