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'It was very close': Hydroplaning leads to fiery crash near Grand Pré

Hydroplaning led to a two-vehicle crash and car fire on Highway 101 near Grand Pré, N.S., on Saturday morning, according to RCMP.

Police said the crash happened near exit 10 when a silver Honda travelling westbound hydroplaned around 8:30 a.m., crossed the centre line and T-boned a red Toyota travelling in the other direction.

James Cooper was driving east directly behind the Toyota. He said he saw the Honda drifting into their lane and managed to swerve out of the way at the last second. He and a passenger escaped injury.

"As I started to turn right, both vehicles went right past the back end of my vehicle. I could hear glass and pieces of car parts hitting my truck as I went down into the ditch," he told CBC News Saturday.

Cooper said he was able to park at exit 10 and call 911. His friend went to check on the two occupants of the red Toyota. Cooper said he went along to help the driver of the Honda, which he said was already on fire. Other motorists began to stop and were soon helping to get the woman out.

"There was a little bit of trouble getting her out at first, but they finally got the door open," he said. "And moments later the whole car was engulfed in flames."

'It was very close'

Police said the fire was put out by the Wolfville Fire Department.

The driver of the Honda, who police later identified as a 20-year-old woman, was taken to Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, but was expected to be OK.

A 54-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy who were in the red Toyota had minor injuries, but weren't hospitalized.

"It was very close," Cooper said. "I was in tears talking to both occupants of both vehicles. I just couldn't believe that they were alive."