Photo source: LBFD

(February 6, 2003) -- LB firefighters used the "Jaws of Life" to rescue two survivors of a horrifying high speed crash on the northbound 710 freeway near Del Amo Blvd. at about 10:30 p.m. on February 5. One passenger in the car was crushed to death in the high speed impact, a driver and passenger were seriously injured [we have digitally obscured the face of an injured survivor] ...and two freeway workers narrowly avoided death in a frightening sequence of events.

LBFD public information officer Wayne Chaney told LBReport.com a Chevy sedan carrying three persons (two + driver) was on the northbound 710 freeway near Del Amo, and allegedly travelling at a high rate of speed when it changed lanes because of some freeway work, clipped another car, lost control, and slammed into concrete "K" rail along the right shoulder of the freeway. Chaney said the impact was so severe that the passenger in the left rear of the car, a 25 year old Inglewood man, was crushed to death. The driver and a passenger in the front seat, also in their 20's, survived.

Photo source: LBFD

LBFD paramedics and an LBFD truck carrying "Jaws of Life" equipment arrived; paramedics began advance life support as firefighters went to work to rescue the survivors from the mangled wreckage.

Due to the extent of the damage, it took firefighters roughly 40 minutes to extricate the victims. Both were reported in serious condition.

Meanwhile, in near miraculous circumstances, two freeway workers who were painting the K rails for an Irvine based firm, narrowly avoided death in the events. A 37 year old Downey worker heard the tires screech, looked up...and was hit by the car. He rolled on the ground...and emerged with a shoulder injury.

Another worker, a 26 year old Lynwood man, heard the approaching car, jumped over the rail and was grazed by the car. He was treated and released.