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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — Residents in a Cottonwood Heights neighborhood had a frightening Christmas Eve after a car crash caused a natural gas leak.
Neighbor Scott Waddoups said he was having dinner with his family when he heard a loud crash down the street.
"I thought someone had hit a fire hydrant," he said. "I heard a lady yelling, "Get her out of there!"
The female driver was still in the vehicle that had crashed in the house located near 7700 South 2700 East. Waddoups said he tried to help the driver out of the car, but she initially resisted.
"I grabbed her by the arm and she swung … and hit me," he explained. "She kept saying, "No, no, no!"
Waddoups eventually pulled her out and took to safety.
Authorities responded and evacuated nearby residents due to a natural gas leak caused when the vehicle sheared the home's outside connection. Several people were treated for inhaling natural gas, but no serious injuries were reported.
Crews temporarily shut off the damaged gas line, alleviating any immediate danger. Permanent repairs are scheduled and residents eventually were allowed to re-enter their homes.
Investigators have yet to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
E-mail: jlee@desnews.com
