Mum dragged from fireball after pouring petrol inside car by mistake

[smart142 605]

Joe Roberts for Metro.co.uk

 

Sunday 17 Dec 2017 

 

Julie Nicklin’s car instantly exploded as she switched on the engine, trapping her inside.

The 54-year-old filled the inside of her Smart car with fuel after mistaking a detachable cap for the petrol tank.

 

She was saved from serious injury when Brian Turner raced across the forecourt to get to her as other motorists ducked for cover. The 54-year-old builder was behind Julie in the Asda petrol station in Lancaster, Lancashire, on Friday, when he heard a very loud ‘bang’.

 

He ran straight over and opened the door as flames jumped out and singed all the hair on his arm. Brian reached into the car and dragged Julie to safety.

 

He said: ‘All you could see inside the car was flames. It felt like it lasted forever but it was literally seconds. ‘As soon as I opened the door it went bang again and burned my arms, hands and neck. ‘She is only a small lady and had the seat right up against the steering wheel so I had to drag her out.

 

‘I finally got her out and was running and dragging her along with me. Then we heard another explosion when we were about ten feet away. ‘The petrol pump nozzle had ignited.’

 

He got the teaching assistant to safety and went to check on a work colleague back on the forecourt. The pair were then checked over, but miraculously Julie was unharmed. Brian believes Julie’s large puffer-style jacket saved her from getting badly burned.

 

He said: ‘If that jacket had gone up I wouldn’t have been able to get to her. ‘It’s funny because people keep saying I’m a hero but I just did it, I didn’t think about it. 

 

‘I’m just glad I was able to help her.’ Julie said: ‘Brian needs to be recognised for what he did. ‘Everyone else had run away and I couldn’t get out of the car. He saved my life.’

 

She added: ‘It’s a miracle and I will always be indebted to that man.’ Fire crews managed to isolate the fuel supply at the petrol pump while police and ambulance teams attended as a precaution.

Brian, a grandfather-of-six, went back to work the same day.

 

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/17/mum-dragged-fireball-pouring-petrol-inside-car-mistake-7166708/?ito=cbshare

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[dguy 22]

48 minutes ago, smart142 said:

...

The 54-year-old filled the inside of her Smart car with fuel after mistaking a detachable cap for the petrol tank.

...

 

I wonder what model she had?  I can't for the life of me think of a "detachable cap" on the North American 450 or 451 which might be mistaken for the fuel tank fill port, but leads to the passenger compartment instead.

[Leadwing 565]

When smarts first came to Canada, many gas station attendants would try to remove the air inlet cover on the driver's side. (they still do on occasion).  I know this doesn't lead to the passenger compartment.

If she filled the car herself, she should have known where the fuel filler is.  If it was an inexperienced attendant, he or she might not have known where the fuel filler tube is located

My guess is that the air inlet cover was removed and enough fuel was pumped into it to make it go boom when the ignition switch was activated.

[darren 192]

27 minutes ago, dguy said:

 

I wonder what model she had?  I can't for the life of me think of a "detachable cap" on the North American 450 or 451 which might be mistaken for the fuel tank fill port, but leads to the passenger compartment instead.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing! I have no idea what should could have possibly mistaken for the fuel filler.

[MikeT 744]

I saw someone do this with a loaner car at TPM.  450 cdi, it was dripping diesel all over when she brought it back, LOL.  Some people are just too stupid to drive.

[tolsen 630]

Later 450 models have NO FUEL written in large capital letters on air intake at side just inboard of the outer disc.  Most likely added to warn stupid owners like this Lancashire women.