Police are searching for a mystery hero who disappeared after dragging a woman and two children aged two and six years old from a smouldering car.

The man stopped after seeing the overturned Audi convertible with its occupants trapped inside on the A1237 York outer ring round near Wetherby roundabout.

Without a thought for his own safety he scrambled underneath the vehicle and pulled the three from the wreckage.

He then ripped his shirt sleeve to make a bandage for the woman, who had slight injuries to her hand.

Police said the car could have burst into flames at any time.

Once emergency services arrived on the scene the mystery man got back into his car and drove off refusing to leave any details about himself.

Sergeant Jim Dawson, of York police, said: "This man had a complete disregard for his own safety. He willingly put his own life at serious risk to help these people and that doesn't happen very often these days.

"He really is a hero. That car could have exploded or collapsed on top of him. Witnesses have said it was actually smoking when he went in and we feel very strongly that his bravery needs to be recognised."

The Audi was the only car involved in the accident.

Police said it went out of control on Saturday afternoon, crossed a carriageway and overturned.

"It is miraculous that only minor injuries occurred," said Sgt Dawson.

"Taking into account that the road is packed at that time of day, that they ended upside down in a car which had the roof down and that they were trapped while an explosion was imminent, this woman and her children must be the luckiest people I have ever come across."

He added that the road accident was a straight forward case and they did not speak to the mystery man in connection with it.

But they wanted to trace him to officially recognise his bravery.

The man is described as in his mid-20 with short dark hair and a slim build. He was wearing shorts, trainers and a long sleeved white sweat shirt.

He had a large tattoo on the top of one of his arms and was driving an L-reg maroon Fiat Tipo.

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