Loek Hartog, a 24-year-old Dutch GT motor racing driver, demonstrated remarkable bravery last month when he rescued fellow racer Ollie Millroy from a burning vehicle during a race in Shanghai. The incident unfolded on September 5 during the China GT event, where Millroy suffered severe injuries after a collision left his Ferrari engulfed in flames.
Hartog, who was driving at approximately 270 km/h at the time, noticed Millroy’s car on fire after an initial crash involving other vehicles. Despite the intense flames, reportedly twice his height, Hartog acted swiftly, removing the doors from Millroy’s vehicle and pulling him to safety. Millroy sustained multiple injuries, including six broken ribs, a damaged lung, a broken hand, a fractured C6 neck vertebra, and a splintered collarbone.
After extracting Millroy, Hartog attempted to manage the fire with a marshal’s extinguisher, though emergency responders arrived nearly a minute later, with medical assistance taking more than four minutes to reach the scene. Hartog expressed frustration over the delay, noting the difficulty caused by language barriers and inadequate emergency response. Ferrari teammate Betty Chen publicly criticized the organisers for what she described as an "unacceptable" handling of the emergency, insisting that driver and team safety must be prioritised above all else.
Hartog downplayed the notion of heroism surrounding his actions, emphasizing that he was responding on instinct and urging society to foster greater solidarity and human empathy. “I’m no special guy. We can all do this,” he said, reflecting on the incident and its impact on his perspective. He hopes the event will prompt changes to safety protocols, advocating for rules that better enable quick, instinctive responses in emergencies.
Millroy, a 36-year-old British racing driver with a wife and three children, remains in recovery after the accident. Speaking from Dubai six weeks post-crash, he detailed ongoing struggles with severe pain and the challenges of tapering off strong painkillers. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Millroy expressed determination to return to racing, highlighting that his love for driving remains unaffected. “I’m excited to get back behind the wheel,” he said, while acknowledging the need to allow his body time to heal.
The two drivers, who had not previously known each other but share a mutual respect across generations of racing, have formed a strong bond through the ordeal. Millroy’s family travelled to Amsterdam recently to surprise Hartog on his birthday, presenting him with a Rolex watch as a symbol of gratitude for saving Millroy’s life.
Hartog is preparing to return to competition in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, including upcoming rounds on the same Shanghai track where the rescue occurred. Both men expressed hope that the incident will serve as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in motorsport, and the enduring value of human courage and compassion within the high-risk world of racing.