BRIEFLY : 5 HURT IN COLLISIONS ON FREEWAY LANES.

Five people were taken to hospitals, including a woman reported in critical condition with a head injury, after a collision Saturday on the Hollywood Freeway near Barham Boulevard, city Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

The cause of the collision on the southbound lanes was unclear, but two vehicles overturned, California Highway Patrol Officer Frank Sansone said.

The CHP got the call at 11:46 a.m., authorities said.

Paramedics took the critically injured woman to Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, Humphrey said. Two children in her sport-utility vehicle were taken to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank with minor injuries, he said.

The second woman was trapped in her car so the roof had to be cut off, he said. Paramedics took her to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with shoulder injuries.

Gawking at the scene by drivers on the northbound side of the freeway led to a rear-end collision, Humphrey said.

- Daily News

Policeman rescues man from fire scene

Police don't usually handle fire calls, but a Los Angeles Police Department officer was credited Saturday with rescuing an unconscious man from a smoke-filled apartment.

Officer David Orozco was on desk duty at the West Los Angeles police station at 1663 Butler Ave. about 9 p.m. Friday when someone came in reporting that smoke was coming from an apartment across the street, said Los Angeles police Lt. Bill Hart of the West Los Angeles station.

Orozco rushed across the street and forced his way into the apartment, pulling a man suffering from smoke inhalation outside, the lieutenant said.

The man ``might have died. It sounds like he (Orozco) did a good job,'' Hart said.

The man was taken to a hospital, but information on his condition was unavailable. Orozco was treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and released. Hart said the fire began in the kitchen.

- City News Service

Thai fair to provide free health checks

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The first annual Thai Health Fair, which will offer free health education and medical screenings to low-income immigrants, will be held today at the Wat Thai temple of Los Angeles.

The event, sponsored by Thai Community Development Center in Los Angeles, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the temple, 8225 Coldwater Canyon Ave., North Hollywood.

The day will also feature Thai classical dance performances, live music and authentic Thai food from various regions.

For more information, call Thai Community Development Center at [phone].

- Daily News

Homemaker, retiree win Big Spin prizes

A North Hills homemaker and a retired Thousand Oaks real estate agent were among top winners in the California Lottery's Big Spin show Saturday.

Rosa Marroquin of North Hills said her $80,000 prize would go toward opening a convenience store. William M. Hogg of Thousand Oaks said he would use his $50,000 prize to visit relatives in Spain.

- Associated Press

CSUN symposium to focus on health

WOODLAND HILLS - The Center for Sports Medicine at California State University, Northridge, is presenting a symposium on ``Living Well Into The Golden Years,'' April 10 at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills.

The event will feature workshops with experts on a variety of health issues, including arthritis, aging, eyes, hearing, Alzheimer's disease and paying for long-term care.

The daylong symposium, which includes lunch, costs from $25 and $45, depending on whether participants are students, senior citizens or professionals and whether they preregister by Friday. For information telephone [phone].

- Daily News

No damage reported in quake in Hemet

HEMET - A small earthquake rattled this Riverside County town Saturday, but there were no reports of injuries or damage.

The magnitude-3.3 quake struck at 4:12 p.m. and was centered 5 miles west-southwest of the town, according to U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Doug Given.

It was a new quake, not an aftershock of any other reported quake, he said.

- Associated Press