Two hospitalized after big rig tips over, spills load

Two people were taken to the hospital Wednesday after a big rig tipped over and spilled its load onto East Coast Highway, authorities said.

The truck’s driver lost control at about 6:35 a.m. while turning right off of Newport Coast Drive onto the highway, sending its load across several eastbound lanes, Newport Beach police said.

The driver was on his way to make a delivery to a construction site in the Pelican Hill area, police said.

Three other cars were affected by the spill, and two people were taken from those vehicles to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, said Jennifer Schulz, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Fire Department. Fire authorities would not release any other information on the victims.

— Kelly Strodl