I found the two incidents in the Los Angeles Times Archives. Since they are copyrighted, I summarized the two incidents below.<br><br>Mar 21, 2000<br> <br>Lee Risler's van ran off the S. Gabriel River Freeway near Downey. His van went down an embankment and turned over. His left arm was mangled and trapped under branches that punched through his windshield. Risler, 53, using a pocket knife tried to cut off his left hand, cutting at the wrist and finger of his left hand. The amputation attempt was unsuccessful, and he was trapped for 2 1/2 days waiting for help. <br><br>By chance Caltrans workers discovered his overturned van and he was rescued.<br><br>After the rescue, doctors amputated his left arm.<br><br>..........................................................<br><br><br>Dec 26, 1999<br><br>Jolene Donohue, 52, was trapped in her car after it ran off the Foothill Freeway in Sylmar. The vehicle rolled over and came to rest on its wheels 70 feet below in rugged terrain. The crash jammed her doors shut and cut electrical power to her Mazda 626, and wedged her in. The widow from Santa Clarita operates her own industrial welding distribution and supply business. She was trapped in her crumpled car for two nights before being rescued. <br><br>A passing motorist stopped beside the freeway for a rest and spotted her car by chance. <br>............<br><br>Note: They were found by chance: they could have gone undiscovered much longer. Food and water would have helped. These incidents are less likely in todays cell phone saturated society. If you don't have a cell phone, get one.<br><br>Also they were all in their early 50's, which must be a risk factor. :-)