Off-duty NYPD officer saves mini bus driver, aide in fiery crash on LIE

MANORVILLE, N.Y. (WABC) -- A mini bus collided into the back of a truck on the Long Island Expressway in Manorville and burst into flames.

It happened around 1:20 p.m. Thursday near Exit 70.

A driver and female aide were on board the mini bus when it collided into the back of the truck which was apparently moving slowly.

The smoke and fire immediately started to consume the bus.

Off-duty NYPD Police Officer Christopher Canale, who was traveling with his wife, witnessed the accident right in front of them.

Officer Canale jumped out of his personal car, ran up to the heavily damaged bus which was full of heavy black smoke and saw that the driver was trapped by the steering wheel.

Officer Canale pulled the driver out from the driver's side door and then went back into the bus to remove the aide who was still in the smoldering vehicle.

The bus then burst into flames.

Fortunately, the bus was not carrying any children.

The aide suffered minor injuries; the driver apparently refused medical attention.