A Brampton tow truck driver has been selected by the prestigious U.S. Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for saving the lives of three people injured in a ‘violent car crash’ seconds before the vehicle erupted in flames.

Harmanjeet Singh Gill, 20, was driving in August 2018, in Brampton when he saw a violent crash in which an SUV struck several vehicles and landed on its driver’s side a few feet from a house, according to Peel Regional Police.

“Large flames burned at the vehicle’s rear, and Gill responded to the scene,” according to police.

Gill extended his head and arms through the car’s sunroof and pulled one of the three men inside to safety.

“He returned to the vehicle and dragged a second man to safety,” the Commission was told.

They noted that Gill had problems removing a third man.

“With the help of a teen who also responded to the scene, Gill broke the sunroof to create a larger opening,” the body heard. “They then pulled the third man to safety.”

“The car was shortly engulfed in flames, which spread to another car and impinged on the house,” police said.

Peel Regional Police last week invited members of the public to celebrate the heroic and courageous efforts of the internationally-recognized driver.

His heroic actions was acknowledged by Peel Police and the Commission, which earned him the prestigious Carnegie Medal, which has been presented to heroes in the U.S. and Canada for more than 100 years.

Gill was among 17 Carnegie Medal recipients announced by the Commission on December 14.

“Harmanjeet did not hesitate,” Commission members said. “His selflessness and commitment to save the trapped men’s lives exude genuine empathy at humanity’s highest level.’

The fund was established by Pittsburgh steelmaker Andrew Carnegie who believed in ‘recognizing heroes decades before the disaster that served as the impetus for the creation for the Hero Fund.’

The fund was created in 1904 and recognizes heroes, who are selected by a 21-member commission, in the U.S. and Canada. All the winners committed extraordinary deeds, some rescued their elderly neighbours from blazing homes or others from horrific car accidents.

Those who are selected for recognition by the Commission are awarded the Carnegie Medal, and they, or their survivors, become eligible for financial considerations, including one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance.

To date, more than 10,000 medals have been awarded, the recipients selected from more than 100,000 nominees. About 20 percent of the Medals are awarded posthumously.