FIREFIGHTERS remove the roof from an overturned van in Huntington Beach early Thursday morning (HBFD/OnScene TV image).

Firefighters had to cut their way into an overturned van to rescue a victim of a traffic accident early Thursday morning in Huntington Beach.

According to Capt. Steven Teasdale of the Huntington Beach Fire Department, the incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Warner Avenue.

When the two vehicles collided, one of them – a minivan – rolled over and came to rest on the driver’s side. Firefighters were able to extricate the patient by removing the roof. Another patient was in the second car.

Both were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to local hospitals for further care.