A car crash sent a camper flying several hundred feet down a steep embankment and sent 2 people to the hospital.

The crash happened near the T.J. Meenach bridge around 2:30 p.m. on Monday.

Spokane police said the small pickup camper was heading east on T.J. Meenach when it veered off the side of the road, narrowly missed a concrete guard rail and then launched down onto the Centennial Trail just below.

The small camper plunged grill first onto the asphalt.

"I'm surprised that these folks actually survived the crash," said Cpl. Brad Hallock, with the Spokane Police Major Crimes Collision Investigation team.

Smashed and dented, the Toyota pickup stopped several yards away from a steep drop-off down to the Spokane River.

That impact sent the camper section catapulting several hundred feet over the edge.

The female passenger was thrown from the wreckage. She was said to be in critical condition.

Crews used ropes and a pulley system to pull the woman up the embankment and put her into a waiting ambulance.

"I guess the best word for it would be labor-intensive," said Hallock of the low angle rope rescue.

The driver of the camper was out of the vehicle and walking around when officers arrived.

He was said to have minor injures.

For his safety, he was also transported.

"At this point I haven't ruled out impairing substances as a possible factor," said Hallock.

Police will also be looking at speed, as witnesses say the Toyota could have been going as fast as 60 mph. One other passenger also survived the crash.

"I saw the dog being carried up. He seemed a little scared, but ok," said Hallock.

The dog is now in the care of SpokAnimal.

Crews said everyone in the crash is lucky to be alive.

The cause is still under investigation.