Bystanders held the line until firefighters could extinguish a truck involved in a wreck Tuesday.
One person was airlifted with critical injuries and two people were transported by ambulance after the 6 p.m. crash. The wreck occurred on N.C. 87 at the Livingston Creek Bridge in Riegelwood.
Witnesses said the truck and car collided, and the truck caught fire. The single occupant of the pickup was trapped inside.
Bystanders jumped in and began trying to control the flames by hand as firefighters rolled up. The truck was still burning when the victim was extracted using heavy equipment.
The driver of the pickup was taken by helicopter to New Hanover Regional. Buckhead EMS transported the other victims.
Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire-Rescue personnel and Buckhead responded.