Man trapped in car for an hour after 5-car crash in North Spokane

It took firefighters more than 60 minutes in below-freezing temperatures to extricate a man trapped in his truck after a five-car collision early Tuesday night in north Spokane that sent three to the hospital.

No one had life-threatening injuries, said David Heizer, Spokane Fire Department battalion chief.

The crash, on West Francis Avenue between North Alberta and North Lindeke streets, happened about 5:30 p.m.

Chad Shoquist was sitting in his house near the crash scene when he heard three loud bangs. He looked out his window and saw “three cars bouncing around” and then a Chevrolet Avalanche truck hit one or more of the cars.

The driver of the Avalanche remained conscious in the truck for more than 90 minutes while firefighters worked to extricate him by peeling back the truck’s roof.

Spokane police Officer Brad Lewis said the crashes were caused by a Cadillac Escalade rear-ending another car, sending it skidding into oncoming traffic. Lewis said he ticketed the driver of the Escalade for driving too closely to the car in front.

This article was corrected to accurately state the amount of time the man was trapped in his car.