EMBDEN — An Embden woman was taken to the hospital Friday morning after her pickup truck slipped on ice and crashed into a tree on Slipp Road.

Christine Swihart, 61, was traveling west between Fahi Pond Road and Embden Pond Road just before 11:30 a.m. when she lost control of her 2003 Toyota Tundra pickup truck on a patch of ice, according to Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.

Gottardi said the truck became airborne as it veered off the road and crashed into a tree, causing the airbag to deploy.

Swihart’s legs were pinned under the truck’s dashboard as a result of the crash. Rescue personnel from the Anson Fire Department used a hydraulic extrication tool, similar to the Jaws of Life, to free her from the wreckage, Gottardi said. Firefighters from the Madison Fire Department also responded to the crash.

Swihart was taken by AMS Ambulance Service to Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan with nonlife-threatening injuries, according to Gottardi.

There was no other vehicle involved and Swihart was alone in the truck when the accident happened. She was wearing a seat belt, Gottardi said.

A representative at the hospital said Friday afternoon that Swihart was in stable condition and will be transferred to another hospital later in the day.

Deputy David Cole of the sheriff’s department investigated the crash.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367dharlow@centralmaine.comTwitter: @Doug_Harlow


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