Monessen car crash leaves 2 women injured
Fire Chief Delmar Hepple praised the response of firefighters and citizens in the area of Grand and Parente boulevards.
Two women were flown to a Pittsburgh trauma center after a Saturday night crash near Grand and Parente boulevards left one occupant trapped inside a vehicle, prompting a multi-agency rescue response.
Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 8:35 p.m. for a reported vehicle accident with entrapment in Monessen.
One occupant was able to self-extricate before first responders arrived.
Firefighters from Monessen and Charleroi worked together to stabilize the vehicle and free the second occupant, who was trapped inside.
After the patient was extricated, both women were transported to a nearby landing zone and flown by medical helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
North Belle Vernon firefighters assisted by establishing landing zones for two medical helicopters at City Park.
Monessen Municipal Fire Chief Delmar Hepple said the response was aided by off-duty firefighters who happened to be nearby.
A family of off-duty firefighters from Monessen Fire Department No. 1 was among the first to arrive at the scene, followed shortly afterward by firefighters from Monessen Fire Department No. 2, who were fueling a truck after participating in a nearby parade when they saw a flash of light and heard the crash.
“I am very impressed with the overall teamwork for this particular incident. Three different communities came together and worked flawlessly,” Hepple said.
Also responding was Medic 944, an Advanced Life Support quick-response intercept unit operated by Allegheny Health Network Prehospital Care Services.
Hepple said numerous bystanders were in the area when the crash occurred and praised their cooperation with emergency responders.
“There had to be at least 50 people,” Hepple said. “But everyone cooperated and a lot of people got to see firsthand what it is that we do.”
As of press time, Hepple said he could not confirm the conditions of the two occupants.
