WATCH: Bystanders, police lift Volkswagen off woman pinned underneath after dramatic e-bike crash
Six Bystanders Lift Volkswagen to Save E‑Bike Rider in Pennsylvania Crash
A woman riding an electric bike was trapped beneath a Volkswagen Beetle at an intersection on Route 420 in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning. Six members of the public, together with local police, hauled the car off her and hauled her to safety, according to police reports and video footage released by the Prospect Park Police Department.
The crash occurred early in the morning when the 44‑year‑old woman, riding her e‑bike at an estimated speed of more than 20 mph without a helmet, collided with a stationary Beetle. The vehicle pinned her body and her legs were visible beneath the car. Bystanders rushed to the scene after hearing a shout for help.
“We got a yell to help, ran over,” said FedEx driver Carl Wise, one of the rescuers. “We lifted the Volkswagen Beetle up, pulled the girl out and pushed her to the ground so she wouldn’t move, that’s all.” Wise added that he was simply “doing a job” and not a hero.
Local business owner Chrissy Vollmer described the moment she saw the trapped rider. “All I saw were the lady’s legs underneath the car, and she was just yelling, ‘Get this car off of me,’” she said.
Police video shows the group of six people working in unison to lift the car high enough for the rider to be freed. Chief Dave Madonna of the Prospect Park Police Department called the rescuers “heroes” and later visited them to express his gratitude.
The victim was transported to Lankenau Hospital where she underwent surgery for a broken collarbone and other fractures. Police investigators are still looking into the incident. The driver of the Volkswagen has not been charged, and the e‑bike rider may face a traffic citation depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Chief Madonna said the woman was traveling too fast for the time of day and the road conditions. “She was driving way too fast for that time of day, for the road she was traveling on,” he noted. “She was trying to overtake vehicles.” The chief also highlighted a growing trend of e‑bike crashes and urged authorities to take action to prevent future incidents.
