PORTLAND, Ore. — Multiple people were injured Tuesday afternoon after a seven-car crash on Interstate 5 caused a major emergency response near the Nyberg Street off-ramp, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on northbound I-5 near the Nyberg Street exit. Initial reports indicated that one vehicle had overturned and that the driver was trapped inside. When Tualatin police officers arrived at the scene, they quickly determined that the crash was larger than first reported. Several vehicles were involved, and a second person was trapped in another car that had come to rest on its side.
Firefighters from TVFR responded and began a complex rescue operation. Because two people were trapped in separate vehicles, crews had to carefully stabilize both cars before removing the victims. Firefighters used struts and shoring equipment to keep the damaged vehicles from shifting during the extrication process. This step was critical, especially because one car was upside down and another was on its side.
Both trapped victims were eventually freed from the wreckage. Officials said they were in critical condition and were taken to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
People in four other vehicles suffered minor injuries but did not require transport to a hospital. Emergency crews evaluated them at the scene while police and firefighters continued working around the damaged vehicles.
The crash caused significant traffic delays in the area during the evening commute. Drivers were urged to avoid the northbound I-5 Nyberg Street off-ramp while crews worked to clear the scene, investigate the crash, and remove the damaged vehicles.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those injured or said what may have caused the crash. Investigators are expected to review the scene, vehicle positions, witness statements, and other available evidence to determine how the seven-car collision unfolded.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly traffic conditions can become dangerous, especially on busy freeway ramps during peak travel hours. Even a single collision can trigger a chain reaction involving several vehicles, putting drivers, passengers, and emergency responders at serious risk.
Officials have not provided an update on the conditions of the two critically injured people. The investigation remains ongoing.
