MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Two men were killed and two women were rushed to the hospital after, police said, they were involved in a fiery crash in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the single-vehicle wreck along the 3100 block of Pine Tree Drive, just after 5:40 a.m., Saturday.
Cellphone video showed a line of emergency vehicles along the roadway.
Hours later, 7News cameras captured the mangled SUV cordoned off by yellow tape.
Investigators said the driver was heading southbound when they crashed into a tree. Officials said the motorist may have been trying to avoid crashing into another vehicle that was making a turn.
“The flames were up about six or seven feet,” said area resident Barry Eskanos. “It’s a horrific story.”
Eskanos said he woke after hearing what sounded like explosions right outside his home.
“We heard a bang, followed by another bang right afterwards,” he said.
Eskanos immediately ran outside, and when he realized what happened, he ran back inside.
“I turned around and came back in, told my wife to call 911,” he said.
Eskanos then grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to help put out the flames.
Doorbell surveillance video shows the good Samaritan running toward the burning vehicle with the fire extinguisher.
Other neighbors also tried to perform CPR on the victims until fire rescue crews arrived.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paramedics transported the remaining victims to Ryder Trauma Center where the other male victim succumbed to his injuries.
Officials said the injured women suffered injuries that are not life-threatening.
“We pray for the families,” said Eskanos.
Back at the scene of the crash, police shut down Pine Tree Drive in both directions between 30th and 34th streets. It has since reopened to traffic.
Police have not released the victims’ identities, as they continue to investigate.
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