West Seattle Blog… | UPDATE: Driver freed after collision with car on Admiral Way Bridge

(Reader photo sent by Andy)

7:31 a.m.: SFD has a rescue and recovery operation that arrives at the Admiral Way Bridge where an accident involves a car that is on its side.

7:36 a.m.: Admiral is completely blocked at the bridge – which has only had two lanes, one in each direction, for several weeks due to the earthquake protection project. SFD reports a person was trapped in the car that went sideways in the eastbound lane.

(Added – texted photo from another reader)

7:39 a.m.: The firefighters have just informed the control center that they have freed the person.

(Added: Vehicle after firefighters cut off roof to free driver – Photo by Christopher Boffoli)

7:58 a.m.: The Admiral Way Bridge remains blocked in both directions, causing traffic problems on other access routes to the bridge until the scene of the accident is cleared, according to police radio. In the meantime, we are checking the condition of the accident victim.

8:06 a.m.: The driver is taken to hospital. According to paramedics on the emergency radio, it was NOT a high-speed accident – she was traveling at “25 to 30 miles per hour” when she hit something on the bridge. SFD has since cleared the scene; SPD waits for the tow truck, but simply lets a bus drive through.

8:14 a.m.: The police are now allowing traffic heading west.

8:29 a.m.: The tow truck has arrived.

8:59 a.m.: Admiral is now open in both directions. (Thanks again to Andy for the progress reports.)

9:45 a.m.: SFD tells us the driver, an 84-year-old woman, was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.