A pair of crashes in the Canyon led to two hospitalizations and the temporary closure of the Hungry Horse Bridge shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday.

The first crash was reported in front of 850 Spotted Bear Road, where a motorist rolled a vehicle, throwing one of the two occupants. The man was reported conscious and breathing, but sustained a head wound and a possible back injury.

Responders from the Martin City and Hungry Horse fire departments as well as Three Rivers EMS were dispatched to that scene just minutes before a head-on collision was reported at the Hungry Horse Bridge, completely blocking the highway.

According to Martin City Fire Chief Tom Torpen, the collision was between a Ford F-150 and a larger Ford pickup, trapping the driver of the F-150. The trapped driver was initially unresponsive.

Torpen said there were only four responders from his agency on scene before Columbia Falls Fire Department personnel responded.

“Thank god they were there,” Torpen said. “When they showed up it was a godsend.”

He said the trapped driver had to be freed using the Jaws of Life, and sustained broken legs at a minimum, but added that he thinks the man will survive. The man was transported by ALERT helicopter.

“We landed them right on the bridge, too,” Torpen said.

In fact, the helicopter was first dispatched to the Spotted Bear Road crash before it was diverted to the bridge when responders at the first crash said they could handle the incident with the responders they already had on scene.

The collision on the bridge was so severe, Torpen said, that a pair of tow trucks were unable to separate the vehicles.

“Usually they bounce apart, but these two embedded into one another,” he said.

According to Torpen, alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the Spotted Bear Road crash, which led to the ejected passenger being hospitalized. He said neither occupant was wearing a seat belt.

The road was fully reopened to traffic by 8:30 p.m.

Another multiple-vehicle crash requiring transport for at least one person occurred in front of the Rainbow Bar and Casino in Evergreen at approximatly 8 p.m.