Maryland Teller Rescued from Crushed Kiosk

June 4, 2009
A truck got wedged under the overhang.

CANTONSVILLE, Md. --

A Bank of America teller got caught up in a painstaking rescue operation on Wednesday.

SLIDESHOW: View Photos From The Scene

Firefighters said the woman became trapped in a kiosk when a truck got wedged underneath the overhang of the drive-through section of the bank.

The accident happened at the Bank of America in the 700 block of North Rolling Road off of Route 40.

The 8-foot clearance was clearly marked on the overhang of the drive-through, police said.

"The worst-case scenario was actually having a portion of the structure collapse."

- Chief Jonathan Hart

Police said the truck driver apparently missed that sign, endangering the woman who operated the stand-alone kiosk.

Rescue workers scrambled to shore up the kiosk after the crash. The wreck caused the whole building to shift, leaving the teller underneath some shaky bricks.

"The worst-case scenario was actually having a portion of the structure collapse," said Chief Jonathan Hart of the Baltimore County Fire Department.

Firefighters said an attempt to get the woman out through the door damaged the building further.

"The cracks were worsening. The structure was shifting a little bit," Hart said.

The tactical team came up with another plan to rescue the Bank of America employee.

"We actually cut the window out and got her out through the window," Capt. Daniel Lemmon said.

Fire crews carried the woman out headfirst. Rescuers said she was shaken, but unhurt and in a hurry to get away from the building.

Lemmon said that the woman thanked them after her rescue. The fire crews had phone contact with the woman during the operation.

Firefighters said that the woman had food and water and was calm during the entire incident.

There was no word on whether the driver of the truck is facing any charges.

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