Three people were injured Friday afternoon when a van hauling a trailer struck a utility pole and overturned outside Aberdeen. The crash happened on N.C. 211 near Domino Drive and resulted in delays to busy midday traffic on the two-lane stretch of road.
Officials with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on scene told Sandhills Sentinel that the Ford van veered off the road, hit a utility pole, went down a sharp embankment, and overturned before coming to rest on its side. The impact of the crash snapped the power pole and brought down lines.
The body of the van was heavily damaged in the crash. As a result, one passenger was trapped inside the van, and emergency crews had to utilize special equipment to force open the rear doors and remove the individual safely.
A landing zone was set up at a nearby Aberdeen fire station on N.C. 211. One of the injured was flown to a hospital, and two others were taken by ambulance, authorities confirmed.
Investigators do not believe any of the occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The impact brought down a utility pole and power lines. The sharp ledge that caused the van to flip is obscured by the grass.
The reason the van left the roadway remains under investigation.
The collision also brought down several power lines. It is unclear if electrical service in the area was disrupted.
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~ Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
