FLINTSTONE — A tractor-trailer driver was injured Friday morning after crashing into a bridge abutment on Interstate 68 east of Flintstone, according to fire department officials.
“The tractor-trailer went through the guardrails on the driver side, hit the bridge abutment and swung the trailer out into the travel portion of the roadway,” Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Bowman said. “The trailer broke free and slid farther down the road.”
The driver was the only occupant of the truck and was trapped in the vehicle when fire department units arrived, according to Bowman.
The crash occurred on the east side of Polish Mountain at the Old Cumberland Road bridge in the east interstate lanes just after 9 a.m.
“The patient’s foot was pinned between the truck and the (floor) pedals,” Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department Chief Eddie Collins said.
“The crash caused the dash to roll over the patient’s foot, pinning it.”
Collins said firefighters used a hydraulic tool to push the dash away from the victim and free him.
“The patient was in stable condition with what appeared to be only an isolated lower extremity injury,” Allegany County Department of Emergency Services EMS Lt. Josh Bosley said.
Trooper 5, a Maryland State Police medevac, flew the victim to Valley Health Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia, for treatment.
The truck was hauling Amazon packages and owned by a private contractor, according to Bowman.
“State highways were requested to the scene to check the bridge integrity,” Bowman said. “The scene was turned over to Maryland State Police and state highways.”
Interstate 68 was closed eastbound and westbound for approximately one hour.
About 20 firefighters from Flintstone, Orleans, Bedford Road, Baltimore Pike, Allegany County Department of Emergency Services and ambulances from Flintstone and Cumberland responded.
Maryland State Police is investigating.