Crews rescued two people trapped inside a vehicle in northwest Atlanta after a large tree fell on it Thursday afternoon.
The vehicle’s occupants were driving on Blyss Avenue and Chappell Road when they heard a cracking sound, Atlanta Fire Rescue spokesman Sgt. Cortez Stafford said.
About 2 p.m. Thursday, an oak tree fell on power lines and hit their gray sedan, Stafford said.
“It just hit hard,” said Jacquelyn Upkins, one of the rescued. “It didn’t hit my side of the car, but it hit his side real bad.”
The second person, Upkin’s brother, was driving when the tree hit the car. He was taken to the hospital. His name has not been released.
Blyss Avenue and Chappell Road were shut down, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Rescuers initially could not cut the tree or get to the trapped occupants, Stafford said. They had to wait for Georgia Power to come to the scene to cut off the power. The Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation also came to the scene to cut the tree.
“We encourage you, if this ever happens to anyone, to make sure you stay in the vehicle especially if you see power lines down near the tree or the vehicle,” Stafford said. “Make sure you contact 911 … before you try to get out of the vehicle.”
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