Two Hospitalized Following Crash

April 28, 2005: Uptown - Hamburg, NY - On Saturday afternoon, Big Tree Firefighters were dispatched for a motor vehicle accident with multiple injuries. Initial reports from dispatch indicated that the Town of Hamburg Police were on location attending to an unresponsive patient.

First on location was Big Tree Assistant Chief Ron Klimowicz followed closely by Chief Robert Stoberl. Upon arrival, Chief Stoberl immediately called for two additional ambulances since Big Tree's ambulance was out handling another call. By doing so, the town-wide MCI dispatch tone was sent out alerting the Town of Hamburg Fire Coordinators.

Shortly thereafter, Assistant Chief and Paramedic Chris Zak arrived on location and took over patient care. Initially the driver of the vehicle that was struck was reported to be unresponsive. Upon arrival of Paramedic Zak, the patient had become more alert and was complaining of chest and lower leg pain. A passenger in the rear of the vehicle was also complaining of lower extremity pain with some mild chest pain.

With the arrival of a Rural/Metro Ambulance and Paramedic Supervisor, it was decided that Rural/Metro would transport the driver leaving the remaining patients for the Scranton and Woodlawn EMS crews. While Woodlawn attended to two patients who ultimately refused care, Scranton packaged a patient for transport to South Buffalo Mercy Hospital. Ultimately, two patients were transported to South Buffalo Mercy Hospital for treatment.

Big Tree's Rescue Company and an engine also responded to handle minor cleanup and traffic control.

Big Tree was assisted by the Scranton VFC, Rural/Metro, the Town of Hamburg Fire Coordinators, the Town of Hamburg Police, and the Woodlawn VFC.

Story by Branden Watson