Rescuers worked for 48 minutes to free the driver of an 18-wheeler who was trapped after striking another tractor-trailer in a multiple vehicle wreck in Chelsea, MI.
The crash, which involved three tractor-trailers and three vehicles, happened Monday morning just before 5 a.m. on Interstate 94, according to MLive.com.
The cab of one big rig was crushed between two trailers leaving the driver trapped.
Multiple fire and rescue agencies were called in to assist as crews worked in cold, snowy weather.
"We were unable to gain access to the passenger and driver's side of the semi-tractor, as it was pinned between two box trailers," Washtenaw County Technical Rescue Team Director of Operations Greg Payeur told Firehouse.com.
"Extrication efforts consisted of tunneling from the rear of the cab and disentanglement from the front."
A heavy wrecker was brought in from Manchester Towing to winch the box trailer away from the cab to give crews access to the driver's side of the rig. On the other trailer, a grip hoist was used to pull the tractor away from the cab.
"Once access was gained, crew members quickly disentangled the patient, and he was transported to the hospital in critical but stable condition," Payeur said.
One person was listed in critical condition and several others were injured, the Michigan State Police told the Detroit News.
The initial investigation determined that an 18-wheeler jackknifed on the snow-covered interstate and caused all the other cars to collide.
