WEST Coast premiership forward Mark LeCras has been hailed a hero after saving the lives of two people in a deadly car crash in Western Australia.
LeCras was driving back from a speaking engagement when he witnessed a car crash into a tree on Great Eastern Highway in Sawyers Valley just after 11pm on Wednesday.
The 219-game veteran, who retired last year, joined forces with passing motorists to pull a 29-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman from the front of the wreck.
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A passenger in the back seat was trapped and couldn’t be pulled out in time before the car caught fire.
The man, believed to be in his 20s, died at the scene.
The survivors were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
LeCras, in a statement posted by his former club, said the incident had been traumatic.
“I know there is media interest in the recent tragic events that happened on Wednesday night,” he said.
“I hope you understand it was a deeply traumatic incident and can respect the fact that there has been the loss of a life.
“My thoughts are with the family of those affected.
“There are a number of others who attended the scene and it is still tough to comprehend what happened.
“It is something I am not comfortable talking about.
“Please respect our privacy in terms of this matter.”
LeCras retired after last year’s premiership. The 32-year-old booted 441 goals for the club, a tally bettered by only Peter Sumich (514) and Josh Kennedy (578) at the Eagles.
A spokeswoman for WA Police said major crash officers are investigating the fatal crash.
“A grey Holden Caprice sedan was travelling east along Great Eastern Highway when near Stonehouse Loop the driver lost control of the vehicle,” she said in a statement.
“The sedan left the roadway and struck a tree, causing major damage to the front end of the vehicle.
“Passing motorists stopped and assisted the occupants of the Holden Caprice, freeing two occupants before the vehicle caught fire.
“The rear passenger, a man believed to be in his 20s, was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene. The 29-year-old male driver and a 52-year-old woman who was a front passenger in the vehicle received minor injuries and were conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital.”
Major Crash investigators would like to speak to anyone who saw the crash, or the Holden Caprice travelling in the Sawyers Valley area prior to the crash.
Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam or CCTV covering Great Eastern Highway to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.