A violent head-on collision that occurred this morning (Nov. 5) on the Veterans Memorial Highway near Harbour Grace has left the two male drivers in what responders are describing as “very serious condition.”
The accident involved a Chevrolet Impala and what is believed to be a Hyundia Tiburon, and occurred adjacent to what’s known as Danny’s Lookout.
The collision occurred before 8 a.m. as motorists were on the highway, starting a new work week. Officials closed the road immediately as police, firefighters and medical personnel raced to the scene.
The Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade led the rescue effort, using its vehicle extrication tools to remove both men from the severely crumpled cars.
Firefighters from Bay Roberts and Carbonear were also on the scene.
Harbour Grace Chief Ray Verge described the extrication effort as “very difficult,” since the impact of the crash forced the front ends of both cars back onto the drivers.
It took more than an hour to remove the driver from the Impala.
“It was not just a matter of removing the top portion of the vehicle. We had to work hard to move him safely,” said Verge.
Both occupants suffered very serious lower body injuries, said Verge, who is also a paramedic.
Verge praised the efforts of highway enforcement officers who were passing by not long after the collision. He said they used extinguishers to help contain a fire in the Tiburon.
RCMP investigators are on the scene, attempting to determine what caused the accident.
