An elderly woman has been rescued following a harrowing ordeal on a Hunter Valley road, where she was trapped in her vehicle for several hours after it left the roadway and a tree fell onto the car.
Emergency Services Mount Delicate Rescue
NSW Ambulance paramedics, specialist rescue officers, firefighters, and police were all dispatched to the scene on Putty Road at Howes Valley, southwest of Singleton. The emergency call came in just before 1pm on Monday, January 5, 2026.
According to a NSW Ambulance spokesperson, the woman, believed to be in her 70s, was involved in a single-vehicle crash earlier that day. Her car reportedly left the road and travelled several metres down an embankment. In a further stroke of bad luck, a tree then fell onto the vehicle, complicating the situation.
Trapped for Hours Before Discovery
Paramedics were informed that the woman had been trapped inside the wreckage for up to three hours before the crash was discovered and emergency services were alerted. This lengthy period of entrapment added urgency to the rescue mission.
The combined emergency crews worked meticulously on what was described as a delicate extraction operation. They successfully removed the patient from the vehicle by approximately 2.30pm that afternoon.
Injuries and Ongoing Response
While the operation was ongoing at the time of the woman's removal, her exact injuries were not officially confirmed. However, it is understood she may have suffered suspected back injuries from the impact.
Authorities advised motorists in the area to exercise caution while emergency operations continued on Putty Road. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of regional roads, particularly in areas with dense roadside vegetation.
