Sipesville Volunteer Fire Company

On Tuesday, March 13, at 21:35 hrs, stations 608, 605, and 900 EMS were dispatched for a vehicle accident with unknown injuries on Penn Ave. in the area of Hemminger's junkyard. Rescue 608-3 was the first responding unit and was advised that there was to be one vehicle into a tree. Upon arrival at the scene 608 Chief reported one male patient, the passenger, was still inside the vehicle and had snoring respirations. 608 Chief suggested that a helicopter be placed on standby and Medic 957 requested that it be placed in the air. 608 Chief requested Engine 607-4 on a special alarm to establish a landing zone near the scene. Ambul 605-6 was the first arriving EMS unit and advised that the patient was now in trauma arrest. Engine 607-4 responded and took command of the landing zone operations. Firefighters from 608 and 605 rapidly extricated the patient who was turned over to paramedics from station 900 for ALS care. Engine 4 arrived on scene and established an LZ in a field at the intersection of Twin Hills Rd. and Penn Ave. EMS crews successfully resuscitated the patient on scene and prepared him for transport by MedSTAR 1. The patient was flown to the nearest trauma center where he later died in the ICU from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver of the crash had minor injuries and was transported to the nearest trauma center by ground. Conemaugh Township EMS assisted Medic 957 en route for an equipment assist. The Pennsylvania State Police responded to the scene where an investigation and crash reconstruction was performed. Engine 607-4 had cleared the scene after the helicopter had departed, but was later summoned back to the scene for lighting when crews from Boswell had to leave for a structure fire in their first due area. Engine 4 remained on scene until released by PSP after the investigation was complete. It is believed that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash and neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the impact.