An 18-year-old Vancouver man was critically injured in an auto accident Monday afternoon along a major route to the Oregon Coast.
The accident occurred along Highway 26, about eight miles east of Elsie, Ore., near milepost 27 in the Coast Range.
According to an Oregon State Police news release, a motorist called about 2 p.m. to report he had seen a two-door car drive off the westbound shoulder of the road. It traveled about 10 feet down an embankment and struck a tree, trapping the driver.
An off-duty paramedic who happened upon the accident scene about five minutes later stopped and began first aid.