Man Freed by Firefighters After Becoming Pinned Inside Truck

When this gentleman tells people how close he came, he won't have to exaggerate.

Few people come so close to the edge without going over, note the steering wheel's proximity to the hydrant Photo courtesy: Chris Riffle / Salem Fire

(SALEM) - A man that became trapped inside his four-wheel drive truck after a rollover accident in Salem is in fair condition tonight. The 4:30 PM crash happened at the intersection of Commercial St NE and Gaines St NE.

Truck rolled all the way over

Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Riffle says Salem Fire crews were dispatched to the rollover crash with a report of one driver trapped inside and one who was not injured. Fire Fighter/Paramedics found the Toyota pickup upside down and wrapped around a fire hydrant.

Riffle says fire rescue teams were very grateful that the injuries received by the driver of the Toyota pick-up truck that rolled over were minor. When the truck collided with the other vehicle, also a pick-up truck, it became impalled, literally, on a fire hydrant that protruded through the roof, fully into the truck's cab.

It had the appearance of a scene that could have had a tragic end result.

Wheel nearly wraps hydrant

Investigators say it was the impact of the rollover caused the vehicle to land on the fire hydrant. When the hydrant punched through the Toyota's roof and into the vehicle, it pinned the 51-year old Salem man inside.

Salem firefighters and paramedics extricated the victim from the wreckage. Riffle says the man was transported to Salem Hospital in fair condition.

The motor vehicle accident involved two pickups. South bound lanes of Commercial Street at Gaines Street NE were slowed and reduced to one lane for approximately 25 minutes Friday afternoon, as investigators went over the scene and emergency crews worked to free the injured driver.

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