‘I’m no special guy. We can all do this’: Loek Hartog on rescuing Ollie Millroy from a burning car
Loek Hartog, a 24-year-old GT motor racing driver, rescued fellow racer Ollie Millroy from a burning Ferrari after a crash at the China GT, pulling him to safety just over a minute before the car could have exploded.
The incident occurred during the China GT when Hartog, driving at approximately 270km/h, saw Millroy's Ferrari engulfed in flames after being hit by a car involved in a separate collision. Despite the danger, Hartog approached the burning vehicle, yanked off the doors, and pulled Millroy to safety before using a fire extinguisher to douse the flames.
Millroy suffered severe injuries including six broken ribs, a damaged lung, a splintered collarbone, a broken hand, and a fractured C6 neck vertebrae. Hartog recalls finding Millroy confused and disoriented, repeatedly asking where he was and if he had broken his back.
A Changed Perspective
Hartog, who stands at 6ft 6in, downplays his heroism, stating: "I'm no special guy. We can all do this." He admits the experience has given him a different perspective on life but insists it hasn't changed his fundamental character. "I'm still the same guy with just one experience more," he explains.
The Aftermath
Following the rescue, Hartog briefly considered quitting racing before his passion for the sport reasserted itself. "It's like a drug, racing," he admits. Millroy's family expressed profound gratitude, surprising Hartog in Amsterdam on his birthday with a special gift—a watch, symbolizing the additional time Hartog had given them.
Despite their different generations—Millroy is 36 and Hartog 24—the two drivers have formed a bond and hope to race together again. "That's the most important thing – that something positive comes out of this," Hartog emphasizes.
Safety Concerns
The rescue highlighted safety concerns at the Shanghai circuit, where it took 47 seconds for a marshal to arrive and over four minutes for medical assistance. Betty Chen, Millroy's Ferrari teammate, criticized the organizers' response as "truly unacceptable." Hartog agrees that drivers shouldn't need to intervene in emergencies but suggests rules should be more aligned with human instinct.
Millroy continues his recovery in Dubai, struggling with pain after discontinuing strong painkillers. Despite his injuries, he remains determined to return to racing, though his recovery remains a challenging process.
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