By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–A driver and a passenger sustained serious injuries after their vehicle crashed into a parked excavator on State Route 78 in Oceanside on Sunday, authorities reported.
The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. when the Oceanside Fire Department responded to a call regarding a traffic collision on eastbound State Route 78 near El Camino Real.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a small sedan that had collided with a large parked excavator. Both the driver and passenger were trapped inside the vehicle and required immediate extrication.
Firefighters successfully extricated the driver within six minutes of arriving at the scene. The driver was transported to a rendezvous site and then airlifted by air ambulance to Scripps La Jolla Hospital.
The passenger, however, faced a more challenging situation as the force of the impact had caused their leg to become trapped beneath the front seat. Rescuers were able to extricate the passenger in under 30 minutes from the initial 9-1-1 call, utilizing specialized equipment and advanced techniques.
The passenger was then transported to Palomar Hospital. During transport, the patient went into traumatic cardiac arrest, requiring paramedics to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced medical treatment.
The passenger was reported to be stabilized but still in critical condition and undergoing surgery at the hospital.
Traffic delays were experienced in the area as authorities worked to clear the scene and restore regular traffic flow.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
