(Photo: Ocala Fire Rescue)
A driver trapped inside a rolled-over Toyota RAV4 gave rescuers a thumbs-up—literally—after a dramatic one-car crash on Southwest 52nd Terrace Sunday evening.
Ocala Fire Rescue’s Engine 6 and Rescue 6 were dispatched around 7:25 p.m. and arrived within three minutes to find the silver SUV on its side with the driver still inside, unrestrained and unable to exit. Despite a language barrier, crews and the driver relied on hand signals, including the universal thumbs-up, to communicate.
Firefighters stabilized the vehicle using cribbing tools before guiding the driver out through the sunroof. The patient, in stable condition, was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Officials used the incident as a teachable moment, reminding drivers that seatbelts save lives, tires need love too, and when it rains, slow your roll—literally.
Because rollovers don’t RSVP.
