Heroes jump in and rescue elderly couple from burning car

This is the moment shocked bystanders frantically tried to save an elderly couple from a burning car that smashed into a petrol station.

Civilians in the street rushed to action after the vehicle careered into the Caltex Service Station in Armidale, NSW.

The terrifying incident was captured on video and has been shared online around 500,000 times.

Ivan Smith, manager of the Abbotsleigh Motor Inn, was taking an early afternoon break when he witnessed the car speed across the and crash into the petrol station at shocking speed.

Instead of just standing by Mr Smith, along with many other people in the street, rushed to the aid of the victims believed to be in their seventies.

Mr Smith's step-daughter Chloe filmed the footage where he is seen running across the road to try and help the elderly motorists.

A barista from a nearby coffee shop beat Mr Smith to the scene and the 90-year-old driver could be heard saying to them 'save my wife'.

Mr Smith told Yahoo7: "It was all very fast and I ran across the road without really thinking too much about it.

"The car was moving really fast and the petrol bowser stopped them.

"It's a busy street usually with lots of kids around but at that time there was nobody luckily.

"As soon as I got over there we dragged the man out and he was shouting 'save my wife'.

"A chef from a nearby restaurant dragged the woman out so quickly and we put them on the grass away from the fire."

Mr Smith said he has seen the couple's son since the accident who had come over to shake his hand and say thanks.

Armidale police have also reportedly been inundated with calls for the civilian rescuers to be nominated for bravery awards.