A 23-year-old man is recovering in hospital after a fiery crash near Whyte Avenue left him with second- and third-degree burns.
The white pickup truck the man was driving smashed a metal trolley line pole and burst into flames near 109 Street and 84 Avenue around 2:30 a.m. yesterday.
Though paramedics tried to douse the fire with an extinguisher, they were unsuccessful, leaving the driver trapped, the cab completely engulfed in flames.
Fire rescuers pulled the lone male driver from the scorched vehicle.
He was rushed to the University of Alberta Hospital in critical condition.
EMS workers immediately received grief counselling after the accident, because of its horrific nature, said EMS spokeswoman Jill McCormick.
It is not known if speed or alcohol were factors in the accident, but police are investigating.
