Multiple fire crews worked through the early hours of Sunday morning to rescue three people trapped in a crushed, overturned car near Oceanside's Buena Vista Lagoon.
The crash happened on the transition ramp from northbound Interstate 5 to eastbound State Route 78 at approximately 1:32 a.m. Sunday, Oceanside Fire Department Battalion Chief Pete Lawrence said. The crash left one person dead.
A full sized pick-up truck with three people inside went over the side of the ramp and overturned, landing on its roof next to the Buena Vista Lagoon. The impact of the crash crushed the roof all the way down to the door line of the car, trapping everyone inside, Lawrence said.
First responders traveled down a steep and muddy embankment during rain showers to access the car, Lawrence said.
Several units were called to the scene of the crash, and crews used multiple rescue tools in the extensive effort to access the victims, including air bags to lift the car, and Jaws of Life to remove parts of the car, Lawrence said.
Crews were able to save the first victim nearly a half an hour later and taken to a local hospital in a waiting ambulance. The second victim was removed shortly after and was evaluated by paramedics. The second victim was pronounced dead.
The third victim was extracted at approximately 2:11 a.m. The victim was carried up the embankment and taken to a local hospital.
Local
Fire crews called a REACH air ambulance to the scene, but the ambulance was not used.
