Anchorage driver trapped in car after moose lands on roof in icy crash
Firefighters used hydraulic tools to free an 18-year-old from a vehicle after a moose struck the car at highway speeds on Monday night.
By Carlos Rousseau ·
Moose collisions in the Anchorage area typically occur during the fall rut when animals move through traffic and visibility drops. On Monday night, one such collision left an 18-year-old woman trapped inside a badly damaged car on an icy road.
Megan Stone said her daughter, Autumn, was driving home when a moose entered the roadway. Stone stated that her daughter had no time to brake. Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle severely compromised and Autumn pinned inside. Multiple crews used Jaws of Life hydraulic rescue tools to cut her free.
Jason Dolph, an Anchorage firefighter, explained the physics of such impacts. He noted that when a car strikes a moose at highway speeds, the animal often becomes suspended in the air before landing back on the vehicle. In this incident, the moose landed on the hood, windshield, and roof. Dolph said the impact forces in these cases typically range from 30,000 to 40,000 pounds.
Cory Stantorf, a Fish and Game Biologist, reported that the Anchorage area sees approximately 100 moose-vehicle collisions annually. He identified the current period as a time when incidents begin to increase. Stantorf cited the rut, when bulls follow cows, as a primary factor. He also pointed to the lack of snow to provide contrast for the dark-colored animals during the pitch-black morning commute. He advised drivers to slow down because reaction time is shorter than in summer months.
Stone reported that Autumn remained in the intensive care unit as of Wednesday. She is expected to stay there for several days. Stone said her daughter suffered brain bruising, lacerations, and a broken hand. Stone noted that while the injuries are serious, they do not appear catastrophic.
Stone said she has viewed photographs of the wreck. She described the images as horrifying but expressed relief that her daughter survived. EMTs and doctors have told the family they are amazed Autumn is alive.
The crash occurred on an icy road in Anchorage. The vehicle sustained damage to the hood, windshield, and roof area. The moose was not mentioned as being dead or injured in the available details.
