A woman was rescued Tuesday after her SUV hit a tree and burst into flames on a New Hampshire highway.
The crash happened on Interstate 93 southbound near the Manchester-Londonderry line. The woman was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Fire crews from both Manchester and Londonderry responded to the crash.
A construction worker from Derry stopped when he saw thick, black smoke. He said he used a hammer to smash the window and pull the woman out of the car.
Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters.
"A number of good Samaritans stopped, as well as some off-duty firefighters from Massachusetts, as well as a Massachusetts firefighter," said Bruce Hallowell of the Londonderry Fire Department. "It's a big help to us, obviously, seconds count, and they were able to safely remove the victim from the vehicle prior to it being engulfed in flames."
State troopers said that the Audi involved went off the highway and hit a tree in the median, with an impact so severe that the engine was thrown 30 feet from the SUV. The car then caught fire.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, although authorities said they believe that speed was a factor. Anyone with any information has been asked to contact state police.
