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Nov. 09--Two people suffered life-threatening injuries when the car they were in slammed into a large tree early this morning, toppling it and trapping the occupants inside.
The victims, a man and woman, have not yet been identified by authorities.
The crash happened about 4:45 a.m. on Northeast Portland Highway at 60th Avenue, said Paul Corah, a Portland Fire Bureau spokesman. The car was traveling eastbound when it struck a hydrant, then continued driving about 100 yards before striking a large tree. The impact knocked down the tree, which was about two-feet in diameter, Corah said.
The car overturned, trapping the driver and passenger, Corah said.
He said extricating the pair required two tow trucks and at least 15 firefighters. He said the tow trucks had to return the car to its wheels so they could free the pinned driver.
"Firefighters on the scene said it was one of the hardest extrication jobs they have had in their history with the fire bureau," he said.
The driver was unconscious but breathing when he was freed. Firefighters removed the female passenger by cutting the roof off the vehicle.
-- The Oregonian
