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Bronco Rolls Over - Rests on Pole

Mid-Town – March 16, 2002

Moments after being activated for smoke in the area of the old Town Hall in the Village of Angola, Evans Center firefighters were alerted to a vehicle rolled over in front of Weber's Bait Shop on Rte. 5 around 4:45pm today.

Angola's Chief arrived at the village scene and quickly cancelled Evans Center and Angola's response as the fire department was not needed at that location.

Meanwhile, Evans Center Assistant Chief Charlie Klepfer III re-routed to the accident scene and requested that Angola units respond to Rte. 5  to back up Evans Center's efforts.

Apparently, a male driver in his 70s went off the road in his early-model Ford Bronco while eastbound on Rte. 5 just east of Evans Center's Erie Road Station 1, running the ditch line before hitting a driveway culvert and flipping the vehicle over. The vehicle finally came to rest several feet later with its bottom against a power pole.

The driver was pinned down in the passenger side of the SUV with his head against the windshield.

When Evans Center's Engine/Rescue 1 arrived, its crew first worked secure the vehicle by placing shoring underneath it and using a chain to secure the Bronco against the power pole, preventing it from falling onto its top. Evans Center rescue crews then used a glass cutter to gingerly cut away the windshield and used the Jaws-of-Life hydraulic cutters and battery powered DeWalt Sawzalls to cut the 'A', 'B' and 'C' posts of the vehicle. They were then able to peel down the roof to gain suitable access to the driver.

EMS crews from Evans Center, Angola and Rural/Metro worked together to package the patient on a full-spine board and he was handed up to a waiting stretcher.  Rural/Metro then transported the patient to the Lake Shore Senior High School parking lot where a helicopter landing zone had been set up. A Mercy Flight Air Medical Helicopter flew him to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for immediate treatment of his injuries.

The entire extrication took less than 20 minutes and the patient was at an appropriate trauma center within the "golden hour" thanks to the efforts of everyone involved.

In addition to the Angola Fire Department and Rural/Metro Paramedics, Evans Center was assisted at the scene by the Town of Evans Police, Paramedic Supervisor Mike Kick and the Angola Fire Control Dispatch Center.

Photos by: Tiger Schmittendorf/EVANS CENTER PIO

Firefighting is not for everyone – but volunteering can be. Evans Center offers limited duty memberships in the areas of Fire/Rescue only, Fire Police only, Emergency Medical Services Only, Water Rescue only, or Associate only.  Associate members support the fire department through administrative, technology, fund-raising, clerical and other non-emergency business functions.

If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact the Evans Center Fire Company at 716/549-1221 or fill our our feedback form or e-mail to: info@ecvfc.org