Power Shut Down To Rescue Victims Inside Peninsula Car

MENLO PARK, CA -- Officials were forced to shut down the power for two cities Sunday so that Menlo Park firefighters could safely save two victims in a car that crashed into a pole. Fire officials said the incident was reported around 3:32 a.m. on Camino Al Lago in Atherton.

Arriving crews found a car pinned against a tree after shearing off a power pole. Live electrical wires were resting on the car as a result of the crash, fire officials said.

Fire officials asked PG&E to shut down power so that the two victims, both men in their 20s, could be rescued. Power was shut down for portions of Atherton and West Menlo Park, officials said.

"Using the 'Jaws of Life' and reciprocal saws, firefighters carefully worked between the tree, sheared off and splintered power pole and the Lexus to cut apart the vehicle from around the two victims in-order to extricate the trapped men," officials said in a press release.

The power pole, transformer and lines were repaired and replaced before power could be restored to the local area.

--Photos courtesy of Menlo Park Fire District