Driver Injured in Rollover Crash
Car went through a fence on Cate Street.
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A Portsmouth firefighter and a National Wrecker Service driver discuss the single car crash that took place on Cate Street Thursday afternoon.
UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: Fire officials say the driver of the car, an older male, was wearing a seat belt, and his airbag deployed. He was temporarily pinned in the vehicle, and suffered what are being described as "moderate to severe injuries."
Firefighters said the vehicle, a black Hyundai Sonata with Maine plates, crashed through a fence on Cate Street after traveling at a high rate of speed through the Frank Jones Center parking lot. They said the driver was lucky the car didn't catch fire, especially since there were initial reports of smoke coming from the vehicle.
Portsmouth Fire Capt. Todd Germain said the driver was "in and out of consciousness" when firefighters cut him out of the vehicle. He said the extrication was a real challenge because the vehicle wasn't completely stabilized.
There were no skid marks or any immediately apparent attempts by the driver to slow down before impact. Germain said the vehicle had to have been going very fast go in order to go up the embankment and through the fence before it came to rest on its side.
Nine firefighters from stations 1 and 2 responded with a fire engine, a ladder truck and fire and rescue ambulance, while Portsmouth Police closed both ends of Cate Street to traffic.
It was not clear what charges, if any, the driver might face.
UPDATE, 1:55 p.m.: The man who was trapped has been extricated from the vehicle, according to emergency radio broadcasts.
An earlier story follows:
Emergency personnel are at the scene of a one-car crash with entrapment at the intersection of Cate and Bartlett streets.
According to emergency radio broadcasts, a vehicle overturned around 1:30 p.m. and an occupant of the vehicle is trapped inside. Firefighters are on scene.
The area is located near Islington Street and Woodbury Avenue, just outside of downtown Portsmouth.
Related Topics:
Portsmouth Fire Department and
Portsmouth Police Department