Driver rescued on Highway 99 after truck rolls into ditch
Two passing drivers stopped to help rescue the man and his dog, who were trapped taking on water in a truck
One man is alive after being rescued by two other drivers and Richmond authorities, after his truck rolled into a ditch around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The man was driving northbound on Highway 99 when the accident occurred, not too far from the George Massey Tunnel.
Jeremy Birch, who was driving by when he saw the accident happen, said he and another driver pulled over right away to help the man and call police.
"I just climbed down into the ditch," said Birch, who was covered in mud after staying behind to help authorities.
"The truck was partially underwater... he [the driver] said he was running out of air... I could hear him gurgling water."
Birch said he and the other driver tried to pry the doors open to get the man out, but couldn't.
"He was pretty sucked into the bottom of the ditch there," said Birch.
When Richmond RCMP and firefighters arrived on scene, Birch and the other driver stayed to help rescue the man from the vehicle.
Police said the driver was transported to hospital with minor injuries, after being rescued.
Birch said he is keeping the driver's dog for him, and plans to return it soon.
"I told him his dog's in good hands," said Birch. "I got a little dog... they're hanging out in the car getting warm."
RCMP re-opened northbound traffic on Highway 99 at 12:54 a.m.
The exact cause of the accident is unknown.