At approximately 7 a.m. on Jan. 17, the West Ridge Fire Department was alerted by Erie County 911 to assist McKean Hose Company with a rescue/engine for a Greyhound bus wreck with more than two dozen injuries and heavy entrapment.
Rescue Engine 472, Rescue/Engine 474, Truck 477 and Truck 478 responded with 15 volunteers.
West Ridge FD Chief 460 reported that the driver of the charter bus was heavily entrapped and that there were several minor and moderate injuries in the bus.
This set a mass casualty incident into play bringing EMS units from McKean, Perry Hi-Way, Fairview, Central County Paramedics, Emergycare, West County Paramedics, Millcreek Paramedics and the Haz-Mat Command Bus to transport the non-injured to a local parish center.
Crews from 472 and 474 split up with half the crew performing extrication on the driver and the second crew using a side wheelchair door to free the passengers. The extrication team put several rescue tools into service.
The extrication process took around 90 minutes.
West Ridge Fire Police provided traffic control and scene safety and the Pennsylvania State Police are investigating.
