There was no immediate answer at the state Highway Patrol office in Roanoke Rapids this morning.
In a statement, Gaston Fire Chief Ed Porter Jr. said units were dispatched to the southbound lane of the interstate at the 180 mile marker and found a vehicle in the wood line between the highway and exit ramp.
The crash dislodged an exit sign.
A man and woman were trapped in the vehicle, which was stabilized. The roof was removed using hydraulic rescue cutters. The passenger's dash was rolled up using hydraulic rescue spreaders.
Both occupants were extricated and placed in the care of Northampton County paramedics. Two helicopters of Vidant Eastcare landed on the scene and transported the patients to Vidant Medical Center of Greenville.
Fire crews remained on scene for more than two hours and the off-ramp remained closed during that time.
