PORT TOWNSEND — Three people were airlifted to a Seattle hospital after a car smashed into a tree on Umatilla Avenue on Thursday.
Shortly before 4 p.m., the driver of a Buick LeSabre heading east on Umatilla Avenue in Port Townsend lost control and ran into a tree, according to Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman.
Firefighters arrived to find a 12-year-old girl outside of the car, being comforted by passersby, Beezley said.
A man, 40, and his 11-year-old daughter were trapped in the front seats of the car.
They were extricated with the “jaws of life,” a hydraulic rescue tool with which fire fighters tore back the front doors to reach them, Beezley said.
The two in the car were immediately airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with serious injuries, Beezley said.
The 12-year-old was first taken to Jefferson Healthcare hospital in Port Townsend for observation and was later airlifted to Harborview with chest injuries.
Beezley did not identify the three people. He said both front airbags were deployed.
Law enforcement officers are investigating the cause of the wreck, Beezley said.
