Hauppauge, NY – An off-duty NYPD officer sprang into action when a man became trapped inside a burning, overturned vehicle during a severe crash on a Long Island road.

Officer Joseph Wetzel, who is currently battling cancer, heard the collision from across the street and ran to help. Surveillance video shows two cars colliding head-on. One vehicle flipped over and caught fire, while the other SUV went airborne before crashing, scattering metal and glass across the scene.

Wetzel broke the window of the overturned car and pulled the trapped driver to safety. Body camera footage shows him coordinating with arriving officers and alerting them that another woman remained inside the vehicle.

“For NY’s Finest, there is no such thing as off-duty when someone needs help,” NYPD officials said.

Police praised Wetzel, stating, “He showed true heroism and bravery all while continuing his battle against cancer.”

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