The two-person crew was responding to a call near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport at about 11:15 a.m. when the truck rolled over in the 6600 block of Old Dowd Road. It's unclear what caused the accident, although Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are investigating.

The Chevrolet truck came to rest on its left side. One paramedic was trapped in the truck, and Charlotte Fire Department crews had to put the roof off to pull him from the vehicle after about 20 minutes, Morrison said.

Both paramedics were taken to Presbyterian Hospital.

They were wearing their seat belts, which almost certainly prevented more serious injury, Morrison said -- especially in a rollover, which can eject occupants from a vehicle at high speed.

Accidents involving MEDIC crews are rare, Morrison said, even though paramedic trucks tend to be top-heavy and susceptible to rollovers.

Written by Charlotte Observer