Firefighters Rescue Drivers Trapped After I-35 Collision

Temple firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to free two drivers after a two-vehicle crash that brought traffic to a standstill on northbound I-35 early Sunday morning.

Temple Fire & Rescue, Temple Police and Scott & White EMS responded to the collision in the 3500 block of south Interstate 35 shortly after midnight. They found one vehicle lying on its driver's side against the concrete retaining wall and the other against the guardrail. The two drivers were trapped within their vehicles with serious injuries. Due to the extent of the damage to each vehicle, the Heavy Rescue Company used hydraulic extrication tools to remove the drivers.

Scott & White EMS reported a total of five patients including the drivers, and Temple Animal Control personnel provided care for a god aboard one of the vehicles.

The northbound lane was closed while officers with the Temple Police Department Accident Reconstruction Unit gathered evidence to determine the cause of the crash.