FULLERTON – An auto mechanic on Monday, Oct. 23 rescued a motorcyclist trapped beneath a van following a traffic collision.

A motorcycle and a Toyota Sienna had collided, around 6:50 a.m., at Highland and Chapman avenues.

Firefighters move a motorcycle rider to an ambulance after he was freed from being trapped underneath a mini van in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A Honda motorcycle lays in the street as firefighters work to treat and free the rider rider trapped underneath a mini van in Fullerton Monday morning, October 23, 2017. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Firefighters work to treat and free as a motorcycle rider trapped underneath a mini van in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A motorcycle rider holds the side of a mini van as firefighters work to treat and free him as he was trapped underneath in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Firefighters treat and free a motorcycle rider trapped underneath a mini van in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A witness gives a statement to an officer as a motorcycle rider is freed from underneath a mini van by firefighters in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A motorcycle rider’s shoe remains as firefighters gather their equipment after freeing him from underneath a mini van in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Auto mechanic Robert Mott and the driver of a mini van wait on the sidewalk as firefighters remove a motorcycle rider from underneath the Toyota Sienna in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. Mott used a jack and piece of wood to lift the van off the motorcyclist. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Firefighters stabilize a motorcycle rider after removing him from underneath a mini van after a collision in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The wife of a motorcycle rider runs to her car to meet her husband at the hospital after firefighters free him from underneath a mini van after a collision in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider has been taken to UCI in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)



An officer investigates a Honda motorcycle as the rider is taken to UCI after being freed from underneath a mini van by firefighters in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider is in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Officers investigate the scene after a motorcycle rider is taken to UCI after being freed from underneath a mini van by firefighters in Fullerton on Monday morning. The rider is in critical condition after the collision at W. Chapman and N. Highland Avenues. (Photo by Ken Steinhardt, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Auto mechanic Robert Mott came across the accident and used a jack and a piece of wood to lift the van so the weight of the SUV was no longer on the victim, said Chris Nigg, a battalion chief for the Fullerton and Brea fire departments.

“We appreciate his efforts,” Nigg said. “He gave the victim a better chance of survival while we were still responding.”

T.J. McGovern, a division chief for the Garden Grove Fire Department, who also happened upon the collision, notified emergency dispatchers.

The motorcyclist was taken by ambulance to UCI Medical Center in critical condition. The Sienna’s driver was not injured.

Fullerton police are investigating the crash’s cause.