Mesa driver taken to hospital after vehicle strikes pole, crashes into canal

PHOENIX — A man in Mesa was taken to the hospital after his vehicle struck a street light and crashed into an irrigation canal Saturday, authorities said.

The single-vehicle accident happened near Main Street and Gilbert Road just before 12 p.m., the Mesa Police Department said.

When authorities arrived, bystanders were rendering aid as the driver was in water that was about 2-2.5 feet deep, authorities said.

Fire personnel removed the victim and took him to a hospital to evaluate his injuries.

Salt River Project had a mitigation plan in place as the vehicle was leaking fuel.

The Mesa Fire Department, SRP officials and the Mesa Police Department worked together to remove the vehicle from the canal, the release said.

Eastbound traffic on Main Street was blocked to clear the scene, with traffic resuming back to normal just after 2:30 p.m.

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