LUZERNE COUNTY, PA – At 8:57 AM on Sunday, September 9, Hazle Township Fire & Rescue was dispatched with APTS Medic 11 to Interstate 81 in the area of mile marker 143 southbound for a reported vehicle accident with possible entrapment and fire. Medic 11B went responding and was advised of a 15-passenger van rolled over with unknown occupants trapped and the vehicle smoking. 141 Chief (Kostician) went responding and was told multiple calls were being received placing the incident somewhere in a three mile stretch. On his way to the station, the chief found the accident to be at the 143 Exit just north of the Route 924 overpass. He also reported the vehicle was not on fire. Medic 11B arrived on scene and found everyone to be out of the vehicle with one patient possibly refusing treatment. 141 Engine 3 arrived on the scene and assisted EMS and State Police. With no fire or entrapment, 141 Rescue 1 and Tanker 1 were cancelled and placed available. EMS cleared the scene after obtaining a patient refusal and the engine went available shortly thereafter.
