On the evening of November 26, 2010 at 20:57 hrs the Westwood Fire Company along with units from the City of Coatesville and Medics from Brandywine Hospital where dispatched to the Route 30 By-Pass in the area of Route 82 for a pedestrian struck.
As Chief Scott responded he was advised by the Chester County 911 Center that a tow truck operator was struck by a motorist and was reported to be unconscious. At this time an air medical helicopter was placed on stand by. Medics from Brandywine quickly arrived in the area of dispatch and could find no signs of an incident. Further travel west revealed the incident to be East Bound, East of Airport Road in Valley Township.
Chief Scott arrived with Rescue 44 and assumed "By Pass Command", at this time the assignment was held to Westwood units and EMS from Washington Hose and Medics from Brandywine Hospital. A Fire Police Task Force was requested to shut the By-Pass down both at Airport Road and on the western part at Business Route 30 for eastbound traffic.
The injuried tow truck operator was located on the ground with severe head injuries and was unconscious. EMS personnel quickly triaged and packaged the patient and transported via ground to Paoli Trauma Center. PA State Troopers where on the scene at the time of the incident providing additional warning lights while the tow truck operator was tending to a disabled motorist and witnessed the entire accident.
The operator of the vehicle which struck him was quickly taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Fire Police units from Westwood and Wagontown handled the Airport Road area, and Parkesburg and Gap Fire Police handled the Western part at business 30.
The highway remained closed until 22:34 hrs.
The Westwood Fire Company would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the tow truck operator whom we work with on a regular bases. |
