A man was transported to the trauma center at Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries Thursday night after his van reportedly crashed into trees off Crandall Road near Brantal's Restaurant. Tiverton Fire Chief Robert Lloyd said the accident occurred at 6:31 p.m.

The man, Victor Menard, 33, of Fall River but formerly of Tiverton, is still in critical condition at the hospital as of late Friday morning, according to Tiverton Police Lt. Patrick Jones.

Lloyd said a construction van went off the road, struck several trees and was found on its side.

"The occupant was heavily trapped in the vehicle where the front [end] crushed around him," Lloyd said. They requested an engine from the North Tiverton station to bring an extra set of extrication tools, or jaws of life, to get the man out. The extrication took a long time because of the Menard's injuries, Lloyd added, and the vehicle caught fire during the process, but was quickly extinguished and no one else was hurt.

Med Flight was not flying in last night's rain and snow, so Lloyd said they brought Menard to Providence by ground transport.

During the accident, the Westport Fire Department covered Tiverton's southern fire station, Portsmouth covered the Crandall Road station and Fall River covered the North Tiverton station. Lloyd added that an additional call came in that a Westport engine and Little Compton rescue aided while Tiverton worked at the accident.

Users on our Facebook page noted that during the accident traffic was backed up all around Crandall Road and Bliss Corners intersection with police, fire and rescue personnel for a long time.