First responders save woman, man trapped inside burning SUV

– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo

HART TOWNSHIP — Oceana County emergency first responders saved two people who were trapped inside a burning SUV after it crashed on US 31 Saturday, March 16, according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

“The occupants did suffer some injuries but were very fortunate that they were able to be pulled from the vehicle as it was on fire when deputies first arrived,” said Sheriff Mast. “Fire extinguishers were able to subdue the fire.” 

The driver, who is a 42-year-old Holland, Michigan woman, and the passenger, who is a 69-year-old Pullman, Michigan man, were transported by Life EMS to Trinity Health Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, according to the accident report.

The crash and fire occurred on southbound US 31 near Taylor Road around noon.

The SUV “left the roadway at a hard angle on the left/median side,” states the report. “The vehicle then came back onto the pavement and then instantly had another hard left going off the road into the median. There, the vehicle was spinning and overturned hitting an embankment. The vehicle vaulted and came to rest on the tires and started on fire. Both driver and passenger were trapped in the vehicle until removed by force.”

Hart Area Fire Department responded the scene.

Both the driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts.

– Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photo

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