LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. – Around 11:45 AM on Tuesday, October 10, Hazle Township Fire & Rescue Company was dispatched with APTS Medic 11 to the CAN-DO Expressway (SR 924) near the entrance to Interstate 81 South for an accident with injuries.
Chief 141 and Medic 11B were the first units responding and were advised of a passenger car versus truck with one occupant of the car unresponsive. Units were quickly updated that there were now reports of the unconscious occupant being trapped in the vehicle.
Chief 141 arrived on scene and confirmed one person trapped in passenger car in the Northbound lanes of Route 924. A second ALS unit was requested to the scene and aeromedical was dispatched to land at the Harwood ball field.
Rescue 141 was directed to come in to the scene and take the driver’s side door in order for a rapid extrication to occur. Engine 3 arrived on scene and assisted the rescue crew. The patient was extricated within minutes of the rescue company arriving on the scene.
The patient was taken to the ball field in Harwood where an engine company from Hazleton City set up a landing zone for Lehigh Valley MedEvac 4. The patient was transported to a trauma center by air.
The Pennsylvania State Police had the Northbound lanes of 924 closed for the duration of the crash which led traffic to back up to the area of Maplewood Drive. Utility 141 was requested to the scene with the hazmat trailer to help control the massive amount of fluids on the road from the truck involved in the accident.
All units were placed available after 12:30 PM. This accident is just one of many on this stretch of roadway. Many involve passenger cars and tractor trailers and result in entrapments and serious injuries.
