Friday evening at approximately 5:00 pm, 2 engines from Rural Metro Fire, 2 ambulances from AMR-Josephine County and an engine from Grants Pass Department of Public Safety worked to extricate 2 occupants from a vehicle on Lower River Rd. near Ferry Rd. in Merlin.
It appeared the vehicle left the roadway at a high rate of speed, violently striking several trees and heavily damaging the entire vehicle. Firefighters found the driver and passenger severely trapped by the crushed dash that was pinning their legs. Firefighters, using specialized hydraulic tools commonly referred to as the “Jaws of Life”, worked to completely remove the top of the vehicle and push away the dash in order to free the patients. The extrication process took over 90 minutes.
At the height of the incident, Mercy Flights Inc helicopter “105” was staged at nearby Fort Vannoy Elementary, but had to return early due to fog. Also, a heavy wrecker from Caveman Towing Inc. was called in to assist with the extrication.
