St Helens man remains in critical condition after crashing into a bus

UPDATED: Two witnesses with a fire extinguisher likely saved the life of a driver trapped inside his burning car following a crash on the Midland Highway.

TWO passing motorists with a fire extinguisher likely saved the life of a driver trapped inside his burning car following a crash at Oatlands.

The green 1999 Subaru Impreza caught fire after it collided head-on with a 40-seater bus about 5pm on Monday.

DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN HIGHWAY CRASH

Police Inspector Brian Edmonds said two passers-by stopped at the scene, putting out the fire with a fire extinguisher from their car, helping to save the life of the trapped driver, who was cut from the vehicle by rescue services.

Police and emergency services were alerted to the collision after the Subaru, travelling south on the Midland Highway, collided head-on with a northbound 2008 BCI 40-seater bus as the bus attempted to make a right-hand turn into the southern entrance to Oatlands.

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The 25-year-old male driver of the Subaru and his 26-year-old male passenger, both from St Helens, were flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital, the driver with life-threatening injuries, the passenger serious but stable.

The driver remains in hospital, his condition described critical but stable.

The driver of the bus, a woman from New Norfolk, was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for assessment of minor injuries only.

A 12-year-old student was the only other occupant of the bus and was not injured.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, but drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as contributing factors.

Anyone who witnessed either vehicle on the Midland Highway, or who witnessed the crash itself, is urged to contact police on 131 444.

Anyone who observed either vehicle prior to the collision is asked to contact Acting Sergeant Adam Hall at Southern Crash Investigation Services on 131444 or by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au