Vehicle slams into hydro pole trapping two people; repairs close roadway
Posted Sep 1, 2026 11:48:33 AM.
Fire crews were called to a serious single-vehicle crash where a hydro pole cracked in half trapping two people inside.
It happened Tuesday around 5:23 a.m. A vehicle was travelling through the intersection of Old Richmond and Fallowfield roads when it lost control and slammed into a hydro pole.
Ottawa police called firefighters to the collision where the reports indicated that the pole had severely damaged the top of the car.
“The pole had completely crushed the rear passenger compartment and both occupants were trapped in the front,” the press release from Ottawa fire reads.
Crews searched the area and confirmed no hydro lines were severed before stabilizing the vehicle.
Using their specialized tools, they cut open the windshield and a part of the roof above the front passenger compartment. The first occupant was removed on a backboard.
The second person had their arm trapped, forcing the team to lift the vehicle before removing them.
The 22-year-old male driver sustained life-threatening injuries; the 22-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries, Ottawa police said in an update.
Officers are asking anyone with information on the crash to come forward. Including sending police video footage of the vehicle.
Ottawa police said in a release that to repair the pole Fallowfield Road will be closed from Eagleson to Richmond roads for hours. It is possible, police note, that the stretch of roadway could be closed into early Wednesday morning.
Multiple extrications in a few days
This was the second extrication in just over 12 hours for Ottawa firefighters.
On Sunday afternoon, crews were called to another part of Fallowfield Road, this time near Woodroffe Avenue in Barrhaven. Police told firefighters that two vehicles collided launching one of the vehicles on its side trapping the driver.
When they arrived, fire crews saw the vehicle and could see smoke coming from the engine. The other vehicle was in flames, the release notes.
Bringing a hose to the situation, one team extinguished the flames before crews could stabilize the vehicle on its side.
One member of the department went through the open rear hatch to assess the driver who was awake but had pain in their left arm.
Firefighters worked to recline both front seats and put the patient on a backboard bringing them through the rear hatch.
Paramedics met the driver and brought them to hospital.
This incident was just merely 800 metres from another serious extrication that crews were involved on Sunday.
Where the train tracks cross into Fallowfield Station, crews were called Aug. 30 after a VIA Rail train and vehicle collided.
At 3:40 p.m. the driver was extricated and transferred to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No injuries were reported from any passengers or crew members on the train.
