Volunteer firefighters from Valley Cottage this morning were able to quickly free a woman who managed to get her legs caught in the sliding side door of a passenger van.
Fire Chief Howard Gerber said the woman, who Clarkstown police described as a client of an agency serving the developmentally disabled, was stuck in an uncomfortable position in the van with her feet still on the ground. However, Gerber said the woman was not injured and she refused medical attention when she was free from the door.
The incident took place just before 9 a.m. on Lake Road in Valley Cottage. Gerber said it was unclear how the woman became trapped in the passenger side door of the van. As she was stuck, the van's driver was able to help support the woman from inside and help her remain calm.
Gerber said Valley Cottage Fire Department members used a hydraulic tool to pry open the door. He explained that as soon as firefighters had the tool set up, it took just seconds to pop open the van door to release the trapped woman.
