Driver stuck in snow burns to death after repeatedly revving SUV's engine

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Driver stuck in snow burns to death after repeatedly revving SUV's engine

Wilson Wong
Thu, February 4, 2021, 9:47 AM

A New Jersey man was killed in a fire after repeatedly revving his SUV's engine while trying to get out of a snowbank, authorities said. ... Shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, police in Little Ferry said officers responded to a report of a car getting stuck in a pile of snow after going down an embankment near Losen Slote Creek Park, about 10 miles northwest of New York City.

Little Ferry police Capt. Ronald Klein told NBC News on Thursday that two officers found a 62-year-old driver repeatedly revving up the engine and rocking his Mazda SUV back and forth to dislodge the vehicle from the snow.

He said officers told the man to stop accelerating to no avail before telling him they were returning to their vehicle to call for a tow truck. While walking back to their vehicle, the officers heard a popping sound and saw the SUV catch fire.

The officers tried to get into the vehicle, but Klein said the doors were locked. After several attempts to break into the SUV, one officer eventually broke the rear passenger window. ... At that point, Klein said the vehicle was engulfed in flames and smoke, forcing officers to retreat to a safe distance from the SUV.

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[stopdiggin]

1. road rage -- turned inward

sorry for your loss

[TDale313]

2. So sad. Help was there.

☹️

[PJMcK]

3. How would gunning his engine start a fire?

Was the fire caused by the friction of the spinning wheels? It sounds as if the car became engulfed in flames very fast. I wonder why.

[kacekwl]

4. Overheated catalytic converter.

These things can get VERY HOT VERY FAST.

[PJMcK]

5. Ah,of course

Those devices steam when water splashes up onto them.

Thanks for the info!