Early Morning Wreck Sends
Two to the Hospital

February 7, 2003 - Six (6) new photos and story added.

MidTown - February 6, 2003 --- Two cars collided around 6:15 this morning in front of New Era Cap Co. on Rte. 5, sending two people to the hospital - one by Mercy Flight Helicopter. Photos now – story to follow shortly.

One car was apparently heading west on Rte. 5 and attempted to turn left into the New Era Cap Co. parking lot when it collided with an eastbound vehicle. The driver of the eastbound vehicle appeared to have swerved to avoid the collision but the back end of his vehicle struck the westbound vehicle in the passenger door, caving it in on the passenger.

The driver of the westbound vehicle was removed through the driver's side door which could be opened without force. Rescue crews from Evans Center Engine 1 teamed up with firefighters from Highland Rescue 7 to first cut the 'A', 'B' and 'C' posts of the four-door sedan. They used hydraulic cutters from two different systems, along with sawzalls to remove the roof.

Once access was gained to the passenger, firefighters then had to use their Hurst Jaws-of-Life to spread and peel the front and rear passenger doors. The patient was then placed on a spinal immobilization board and packaged for transport.

Angola and Highland Firefighters had secured a landing zone in the parking lot of Evans Center's Erie Road Station less than a mile away. There, the patient was placed into a Mercy Flight Helicopter and flown to the Erie County Medical Center, the county's trauma unit.

Highland, Evans Center and Rural/Metro EMS units were on location to treat and transport the two patients. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was apparently not injured.

Evans Center was assisted at the scene by the Town of Evans Police, Tick-Tock Towing, Highland Hose Fire Company, the Angola Fire Department and the Angola Fire Control Dispatch Center.

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