A young Princeton mom is in a Vancouver hospital with serious injuries following an accident on Highway 3, near Wolf Creek, Saturday night.
A GoFundMe campaign to support Mady McIvor, 21, and her family, raised $4,016 against a $2,500 goal in just three days.
According to RCMP McIvor was driving eastbound when her Ford Explorer slid off the road and hit a hydro pole, cutting the pole in half.
The crash occurred about 9 p.m.
While a 22-year-old passenger was able to exit the vehicle, and suffered minor injuries, McIvor was trapped and it was nearly three hours before she could be safely extricated.
Princeton RCMP Corporal Chad Parsons said the rescue was emotionally fueled, as people who knew the victim were trying to reach her, despite the danger of live wires near the vehicle.
When police arrived two men were attempting to right the vehicle, which was on its side near the broken pole.
The men refused to back away from the scene, and yelled at officers.
One responding constable had to call for back up to help contain the would-be rescuers.
“It was a frantic scene with those live power lines…It was an extremely dangerous area to be in,” said Parsons.
“I can certainly understand the desire to help that trapped person but…it was an extremely difficult position for the officer, with them putting themselves at risk, making it more difficult to co-ordinate the rescue efforts.”
Police notified Fortis B.C. and the wires were deactivated. Keremeos Highway Rescue also responded, as Princeton’s Highway Rescue truck was damaged in a separate accident earlier in the day.
Hedley was without power until 4 a.m. Sunday.
Parsons said the highway was very icy at the time of the crash, and the first cruiser to respond to the scene slid along the road when it attempted to stop.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, said Parsons.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor, he added.
Anyone wishing to donate to help cover costs for McIvor and her family can go to gofundme for Mady McIvor
An account has also been set up for the family at Valley First in Princeton.
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