A car veered off the road around 2 AM Sunday morning in rural Norway. Emergency services discovered the vehicle empty upon arrival. The driver and any passengers had vanished from the crash scene.
Operations leader Frode Øvreås described the incident to local media. "There was a loud bang and we fear the occupant or occupants are seriously injured," he said in a statement. "The vehicle sustained massive damage."
The single vehicle had crashed into a tree in what police described as a remote area. Authorities launched a major search operation Sunday morning. They deployed patrol units, dog handlers, drone operators and a police helicopter. Volunteer search teams also joined the effort.
"We're committing substantial resources because we fear for life and health," Øvreås explained.
The driver was located near the accident site around 11:30 AM. Emergency services transported him by ambulance to Hamar Hospital's trauma center.
Police are now investigating multiple serious offenses. These include suspected drunk driving, failure to report a serious traffic accident, and driving without a valid license.
This case highlights the serious consequences of traffic violations in Norway, where authorities pursue multiple charges even when drivers are injured. The remote location complicated rescue efforts, requiring extensive resources for what became a search operation rather than a simple rescue.