Two people hospitalized after vehicle crashes into hydro pole on Fallowfield Road

A single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Old Richmond and Fallowfield roads Tuesday morning, September 1, left two people with serious injuries and prompted a significant road closure.

The vehicle lost control and struck a hydro pole around 5:23 a.m., cracking the pole in half. The impact severely damaged the top of the car and trapped both occupants. According to Ottawa Fire, "the pole had completely crushed the rear passenger compartment and both occupants were trapped in the front."

Firefighters confirmed no hydro lines were severed before stabilizing the vehicle. Using specialized tools, they cut open the windshield and part of the roof above the front passenger compartment to free the occupants. The first person was removed on a backboard. The second occupant had their arm trapped, requiring firefighters to lift the vehicle before extracting them.

The 22-year-old male driver sustained life-threatening injuries; the 22-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries. Both were transferred to paramedics by 5:49 a.m. Ottawa Police are asking anyone with information or video footage of the vehicle to come forward.

Fallowfield Road will remain closed from Eagleson to Richmond roads for pole repairs, possibly extending into early Wednesday morning. This was the second extrication Ottawa firefighters responded to in just over 12 hours—on Sunday afternoon, crews handled a two-vehicle collision nearby at Fallowfield and Woodroffe that also resulted in hospitalization.