Serious two-car accident sends five to hospital

WEBSTER - Shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10th, the dispatcher at Webster Emergency Control witnessed the 911 lines start lighting up like a Christmas tree. As the dispatcher started fielding the calls, he was advised of a very serious accident on Route 12 directly in front of the K-Mart shopping plaza. Many callers reported that there were several people injured. Webster Emergency Control "leaned on the tones" and dispatched the appropriate police, fire, rescue, and EMS units.

As police arrived on the scene, they found the results of a very violent, high speed collision between two cars. The officers on scene began to check on the well-being of those who were involved, and reported back to Control that there were five persons on scene who were in need of medical attention. Additionally, one driver was still pinned in his vehicle and would need to be extricated. They also found an extensive debris field, as the involved vehicles had come to rest some 150-200 feet apart. One of the vehicles, a Jaguar sedan, reportedly rolled over three times. Police were forced to shut down a section of Route 12, and traffic was detoured over Old Worcester Road.

Medical personnel from Webster EMS were the next to arrive on scene and they began triaging the involved parties. Four of the victims were easily accessible and they were quickly assessed, treated on scene, and transported to the hospital. Webster EMS resources were quickly overwhelmed, so mutual aid ambulances were requested from the Oxford and Dudley fire departments. Some of the Webster EMS personnel remained on scene to stabilize the last patient who was trapped inside his overturned car.

The Webster Rescue Squad and Fire Department arrived on scene shortly after EMS and immediately went to work trying to free the lone occupant of the overturned Jaguar. Firefighters stretched a hoseline to protect the rescue operation. Steam and smoke rose from the engine compartment, as spilled vehicle fluids came in contact with the hot engine. Rescue Squad members began the delicate operation of actually removing the car from the patient. The driver’s ankle had been entirely encased in a "sock" of vehicle metal, plastic, and insulation as a result of the accident. Painstaking care had to be taken as rescue personnel used hydraulic rescue tools as well as hand tools to peel away layers of metal and plastic. Finally, after a lengthy operation, the driver was freed and removed from the car.

He was taken to a waiting ambulance and transported to Memorial Beach where the New England Life Flight medivac helicopter was waiting. The patient was then flown to UMASS Hospital – University Campus in Worcester for definitive care. The driver received substantial injuries, but his condition was not immediately known.

The accident is currently under investigation by members of the Webster Police Department.

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