Ridge Fire Company - Auto Accident 01/17/2007

Auto Accident 1/17/2007

Fatal, 3 Vehicle Accident on Rt. 100

On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 13:38 Hrs Chester County Dispatch alerted Ridge Fire Co. (Station 62) and Goodwill Ambulance of Pottstown (MontCo Medic 329) for and Auto Accident on Rt. 100 north of Prizer Rd in South Coventry Twp. Initial notes on the accident were 2 vehicles with one into a pole unknown on injuries. Rescue 62 and Medic 329-6 and Medic 329-4 responded at the same time. Engine 62-2 and Traffic 62 responded within minutes of the Rescue responding. Rescue 62 arrived on scene with Assistant 62 and found 3 vehicles, 2 of the vehicles right along the rd and the third vehicle down a large open yard into a tree just above the French Creek. All occupants were out of the first two vehicles and uninjured, so rescue personnel concentrated on the third vehicle by the creek. Crews began to stabilize the vehicle from shifting into the creek when Asst 62 found an elderly female passenger in Cardiac Arrest and also entrapment of the other victims still in the vehicle. Medic 329-4 then arrived on scene and began working on the cardiac arrest victim. Rescue Personnel lead off with the portable set of Jaws of Life from Rescue 62 to pop the driver’s door so the driver could be extricated from the vehicle. The rear passenger was also removed by rescue and EMS personnel. Asst 62 had established Rt. 100 Command, and requested 1 more ALS units to the scene for the multiple victims and to assist with the Cardiac arrest and Ludwig Corner Fire Police (Station 73) to assist with traffic control. Chester County then dispatched West End Ambulance Sub-Station (MICU 1-67-3) and Station 73 fire police. Brandywine Hospital Medics (Medic 93) were also in the area and were added on the call by Chester County, due to the severity of the crash. Once Medics assessed the patients it was determined that 2 MedEvac helicopters were needed for the driver and rear passenger of the vehicle. Medic 329-6 transported the cardiac arrest patient to PMMC were she was pronounced dead. Engine 62-2 relocated itself to a large field next to the intersection of Rt. 100 and Prizer Rd to handle the LZ. Once it was determined that the accident was a fatal State Police need to reconstruct the accident scene and requested that Rt. 100 be shut down between Rt. 23 and Rt. 401 in West Vincent. Station 73 and Norco Fire Police (Station 64) were dispatched to close those two intersections so police could conduct their investigation. SkyCare 2 was the first helicopter to the LZ and transported one patient to Einstein and PennStar 2 was the second bird in and transported one to Reading. All units were able to clear and Rt. 100 was reopened by 15:43Hrs.

Units Operating on Scene: Rescue 62, Engine 62-2, Traffic 62, Medic 329-6, Medic 329-4, MICU 1-67-3, Medic 93-1, Traffic 73, Traffic 64, PennStar 2, SkyCare 2, State Police Embreeville, Station 62,73,and 64 Fire Police.

We would like to give special thanks to all of the onlookers who pitched in to help carry tools, stretchers, direct traffic, etc.!!!