WATSONVILLE — A big rig driver was rescued Wednesday after his rig rolled over on the southbound exit from Highway 1 at Riverside Drive, crushing the driver inside the cab.
Off-duty Watsonville firefighter/paramedic John Stone and Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s deputy Bobby Paul were among the first people to roll up on the scene.
“I pulled over as the tire on the truck was still spinning,” Stone said. “Bobby and I saw that the driver was trapped so we started busting out windows. I managed to clear his airway and get a pulse. Bobby got on the radio and called for help. Everybody came real fast. I was really relieved to see our crews get here and do what they are trained to do. It was all about teamwork and we got it done right.”
California Highway Patrol officer Craig Geddes said the male driver suffered moderate to major injuries in the 7:50 a.m. crash. CHP officer Trista Drake said excessive speed and wet conditions may have led to the driver losing control.
The rig was carrying a metal shipping container, that some officials said was loaded with slabs of marble and granite.
The offramp remained closed for several hours to allow crews to clear the scene. Workers from Auto Care Towing used a sophisticated system of cable riggings from two heavy-duty tow rigs to hoist the truck back upright.
Stone said several bystanders also lent a hand during the rescue.
The driver was taken by American Medical Response paramedics to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.
The truck was hauling goods from Oakland to a business in Watsonville.
By 1 p.m., a crew from Auto Care Towing of Watsonville had managed to get the truck and the trailer on their wheels but the offramp from southbound Highway 1 and the onramp to the same highway remained closed for mop up.
