Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 18/98) - A 31-year-old Yellowknife man is recovering from injuries he suffered after the car he was driving on Friday afternoon struck a rock face.

The driver of a 1998 Ford Escort, whose name police haven't released, was heading south on Highway 3 around 4 p.m. when he lost control just north of the Jackfish power plant, according to RCMP Sgt. Marlin Degrand.

"He did appear to be in pain and he did suffer chest injuries as a result of the accident," he said. "(But) his injuries didn't appear to be life-threatening."

He was transported to Stanton Regional Hospital and then released the next day.

While medics were forced to cut the roof of the car off with the jaws of life to remove the driver, Degrand maintains the man's use of a seatbelt likely saved him from suffering more serious injuries.

"It's definitely our (police) opinion that he could have suffered more serious injuries," he added.

The accident restricted traffic to one lane for more than half an hour just before rush hour.

Degrand also said no alcohol was involved and it's not believed the driver was speeding.

The vehicle is expected to be totally written off.