Dec 8, 2012 1 min read

A Claysville man escaped relatively unscathed from a fiery one-vehicle crash Friday morning in Long Branch Borough.

According to Southwest Regional police Chief John Hartman, a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Daniel Jordan Hansell struck a tree along Dally Road just after 9 a.m. Friday and erupted into flames.

A witness told police the vehicle exploded shortly after Hansell got out of it.

“He was lucky he got out of the car,” Hartman said. “Had he been rendered unconscious, he could have perished in that fire. It was that intense.”

Hansell, the vehicle’s sole occupant, was transported to Monongahela Valley Hospital. Police said he did not appear to sustain any serious injuries.

“The inside of the vehicle was totally gutted,” Hartman said. “He’s a lucky man.”

Roscoe Volunteer Fire Company was called to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.