LeCras was driving back from a speaking engagement when he witnessed a crash into a tree on Great Eastern Highway in Sawyers Valley on Wednesday just after 11:00pm.

The 219-game veteran, who retired last year, joined forces with passing motorists to pull a 29-year-old man and 52-year-old woman from the front of the wreck.

A passenger in the back seat was trapped and couldn't be rescued in time before the car caught fire.

The man, believed to have been in his 20s, died at the scene.

The survivors were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

LeCras has asked for privacy after the tragedy.

"I hope you understand it was a deeply traumatic incident and can respect the fact that there has been the loss of a life," LeCras said in a statement.

"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."

LeCras retired after last year's premiership.

The 32-year-old booted 441 goals for the club, a tally bettered only by Peter Sumich (514) and Josh Kennedy (578) at the Eagles.

Australian Associated Press