Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with trapped in vehicle, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You or someone else is trapped inside a vehicle after a crash — doors jammed, roof collapsed, or pinned by deformation.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Stay still if hurt. Turn off engine if safe. Tap on metal. Wait for rescue.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Doors will not open, dashboard pressed against legs, or roof buckled onto head.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person conscious but unable to exit despite help pulling door.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fuel smell or smoke from engine compartment.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Crushed door frames and steering columns pin occupants. Sudden release of compression can cause fatal bleeding.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fuel leaks and battery damage create fire risk — ignition off when possible.
Check the scene before you approach.
Moving trapped limbs may sever compressed blood vessels when pressure is suddenly released.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 first if you are trapped — give road location and vehicle description.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Switch off ignition if key reachable without stretching into unsafe position.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Cover mouth with cloth if dust or airbag powder fills cab.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay belted unless fire forces immediate exit through window.
When and how to get professional help.
All significant vehicle entrapment needs fire-rescue extrication tools.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stabilize scene and communicate with trapped person. Leave extrication to fire-rescue with hydraulic tools.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say vehicle entrapment, highway or street, direction of travel, number of people.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Report fuel leak, fire, or power lines on vehicle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on phone if trapped — dispatchers keep line open.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT cut battery cables unless trained — airbag and hybrid systems are hazardous.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT pry doors with crowbars without stabilizing vehicle.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT smoke near fuel leak.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT drag person out by arms if legs are pinned — wait for hydraulic spreaders.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You should always get the person out of the car as fast as possible
Other scenarios in the same family.
Collapse nearby
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A building or structure is failing or has collapsed near where you are standing — you are outside but close to danger.
Bridge collapse
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A bridge, overpass, or elevated roadway has collapsed — with vehicles or people on or below it.
Construction accident
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A structural failure, fall, or collapse has occurred on a construction site — scaffolding, trench, or partial building.
Floor collapse
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A floor, mezzanine, or elevated platform has collapsed — dropping people to the level below or into a void.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tap rhythmically on door or roof so rescuers locate you in dark or obscured wreck.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If helping from outside: talk calmly, do not pull person through window.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Place warning triangles or flag traffic if safe to reduce secondary crash.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Fire-rescue uses spreaders and cutters — extrication takes time.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All entrapped occupants need trauma evaluation for internal and spinal injury.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rapid uncontrolled extrication kills when crush injuries or unstable spine are present. Controlled extrication by fire-rescue is safer.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Paralysis, hemorrhage from released crush, and worsened spinal injury.