The Topsfield Fire Department responded to a single-car crash this morning where the Jaws of Life were used to free a trapped 26-year-old Topsfield man. (Courtesy Photo)

TOPSFIELD – Chief Ronald Giovannacci reports that the Topsfield Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle crash this morning where a man was trapped and needed to be freed using the Jaws of Life.

At approximately 1:30 a.m., the Topsfield Fire Department was dispatched to Route 97 in the area of the Wenham and Danvers lines on a report of a single-car crash.

Upon arrival, crews found a 26-year-old Topsfield man trapped in his 1999 Honda Civic, which was resting on its roof and leaking fuel in the eastbound lane of Route 97 in Topsfield.

Firefighters used rescue airbags and the Jaws of Life to free the driver, the only occupant of the vehicle. During the extrication, the road was closed for 45 minutes.

Northeast Regional Ambulance transported the man to an area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Topsfield Police Department. However, it appears that the vehicle veered off Route 97, went into the woods, where it struck several trees, rolled further down the road, and eventually landed on its roof with the driver heavily entrapped.

Chief Giovannacci would like to thank the Topsfield Police Department, the Ipswich Police Department, the Wenham Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police for on-scene assistance.

“I commend Topsfield firefighters for their work in disentangling and removing the patient from the vehicle,” Chief Giovannacci said. “They provided care in an extremely hazardous environment and put themselves in harms way to ensure that no further trauma came to this young man. The extrication was technically difficult, but they were able to stabilize the patient for transport to Beverly Hospital. Several bystanders provided support and care for the patient initially and we are grateful for their assistance.”

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Following the crash, Route 97 was closed for 45 minutes while the Topsfield Fire Department extricated the driver of a Honda Civic.