Medic 590-8 responded and was advised of an accident involving at least two trucks and a car with a female pinned beneath a truck. Berks 911 wasn’t sure how many vehicles were involved in total, or what kind of truck the woman was trapped under. A second ALS was requested out of Company 590.
As Company 33 units were responding they noted that no traffic was approaching from the west as both lanes were completely blocked. Rescue 33 and Engine 44 responded to the scene, going east in the westbound lanes.
Medic 590-8 and Rescue 44 were met with a large backlog in the westbound lanes. Icy conditions had vehicles scattered all over the highway. Medic 590-2 was told to respond via the route that R33 and E44 took.
Rescue 33 arrived on scene and found a three vehicle accident, involving two tractor trailers and one SUV. According to reports on scene, this section of road was extremely icy. The first tractor trailer began to fishtail, struck the cement median and then jackknifed. The second tractor trailer tried to avoid the other truck, but could not slow down. It struck the back of the trailer and pushed the front through the guardrail and into the woods. The SUV, also unable to slow down, struck the side of the trailer head-on.
Fire 33 and 44 personnel found that the SUV had major damage to the driver’s side, but luckily the driver was not trapped or severely injured. The patient was immobilized and then transported to a local trauma center with minor injuries.
Company 46 was recalled prior to committing to the Interstate.
Crews remained on the scene for hours while towing companies began to plan their extrication of the vehicles. During this time, Engine 44 and Rescue 33 responded to a minor motor vehicle accident in Albany Township. After being on the interstate for almost six hours, units began clearing the scene and the trucks were loaded for towing. The interstate was completely reopened by 4:00 p.m.
