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PLAINVILLE - An accident that seriously injured a North Attleboro man Friday night on Route 1, shutting down the highway in both directions for several hours, involved a dangerous and protracted extrication of the victim from his crushed car.

William F. Downey, 18, of North Attleboro, was taken by medical helicopter to Boston Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition late Saturday night, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The car smashed into a utility pole and rolled on its side, with the lower portion of the pole driven threw part of the vehicle, and many wires hanging down on the car and road, Fire Chief Ted Joubert said.

"The bottom of the telephone pole actually penetrated through the car, which was unbelievable," Joubert said.

"How he survived, we don't know. His lower body was crushed under the dashboard," Joubert said. "It was a real extensive and intricate extrication. Plus we had to deal with power lines above us."

It took firefighters from Plainville and North Attleboro using cutting tools nearly an hour to free Downey from the 1994 Lincoln sedan. He was the sole occupant.

"It took every bit of our guys and their guys to give the guy a chance," Joubert said, adding of the removal of the victim, "it was probably one of most complicated and difficult ones I've had."

Downey was unresponsive, but had a pulse, firefighters said.

"There were significant lower extremity injuries. He was in bad shape," Joubert said.

The crash was reported about 9:30 p.m. on Route 1 South near the Plainville Truck Stop and the Tavern at Tower Square.

The section of Route 1 was closed through the early morning hours.

"They had an enormous amount of work there to restore poles and wires," Joubert said. "The amount of wires on that pole was amazing."

Power was knocked out to part of Route 1, closing some businesses, including gasoline stations and at least one restaurant.

While area roads were reported icing up around the time of the crash and caused other accidents, it was unclear if road conditions contributed. The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. The State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Plainville police, and MassHighway assisted at the crash scene.

Slick roads cause crashes

There were two other accidents in Plainville Friday night and early Saturday morning attributed partly to slick roadways.

Two people, including an 18-year-old woman, were injured when a car hit a tree on Cowell Road about 11:25 p.m. Both victims, who received minor injuries, were outside the car when rescue workers arrived.

Also, a truck flipped over on a hill on High Street about 1:45 a.m. Saturday. The victim also managed to get out of the vehicle with little trouble.

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.