A 44-year-old woman survived a crash after being pinned beneath a Volkswagen Beetle, with dramatic body camera footage showing bystanders and police officers lifting the vehicle to free her. The incident occurred Monday morning in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania.
According to Prospect Park Police Chief Dave Madonna, the woman was traveling on an e-bike at an estimated speed of over 20 mph without a helmet when she collided with the Volkswagen at an intersection along Route 420. Madonna suggested the rider may have been attempting to overtake other vehicles while en route to an appointment.
Surveillance and police body camera footage shows multiple bystanders converging on the scene to assist. Approximately six individuals joined officers in lifting the Volkswagen Beetle high enough to pull the woman out. FedEx driver Carl Wise, who was among those who responded, described the effort: "We lifted the Volkswagen Beetle up, pulled the girl out and pushed her to the ground so she wouldn't move."
Local business owner Chrissy Vollmer, who also came to help, stated, "All I saw were the lady's legs underneath the car and she was just yelling get this car off of me."
Madonna commended the bystanders, referring to them as "heroes," and later expressed his gratitude. He also voiced concerns about an apparent increase in e-bike related accidents, questioning when measures would be taken to prevent further tragedies.
The injured woman was transported to Lankenau Hospital, where she underwent surgery for a broken collarbone and other injuries. The driver of the Volkswagen is not facing charges, while authorities indicated the e-bike rider may receive a traffic citation pending the investigation's conclusion.