Dramatic burning car rescue caught on police dash cam

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A dash cam camera in an Anchorage police cruiser caught dramatic video of an officer and four citizens rescuing a man whose arm was trapped under a burning sport utility vehicle.

The video released Tuesday is agonizing to watch at times as the man screams: "Oh my God! Oh my God!"

The vehicle had rolled onto its right side Sunday. The unidentified driver, who hadn't worn a seat belt, had his arm trapped under the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officer Mitchel Veenstra and two or three volunteers rushed to the car, which was smoking heavily, and tried to pick it up off the man but were unable. Veenstra then called for others standing nearby to come help, and they eventually pushed it enough for the man to escape, seconds before the car burst into flames.

As he flops to the ground in front of the cruiser, the man tells Veenstra that he's a firefighter with the state.

The man then says he's OK, but adds: "I thought I was literally going to die."

Veenstra says, "I'm glad to be talking to you right now."

The man replied: "Me too."

CBS affiliate KTVA in Alaska reports the man suffered injuries to the arm that was pinned after the crash and possible smoke inhalation.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.