3 Car MVA Sends 4 Patients To Canton-Potsdam Hospital

With a light snow falling during the afternoon hours of Thursday, January 5, 2006 the pagers sounded and Potsdam Fire was activated for a three car personal injury motor vehicle accident in the vicinity of 6737 State Highway 56 just north of the Village of Potsdam. Engine 80, being operated by Firefighter James Corbett, arrived on the scene to find three vehicles with significant damage and positive air bag deployment. All occupants were out of the vehicle upon arrival and had sought shelter from the cold weather and falling snow in a nearby garage. Rescue 14, being operated by Past Chief Robar, arrived and the EMS bag, backboard, and collars were quickly put to use. Potsdam firefighters checked for injuries and initiated basic life support care. A total of four patients were packaged and transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Potsdam Fire Police personnel with assistance from the New York State Police directed traffic around the incident to keep the major highway open and the traffic flowing while taking the necessary precautions to protect the emergency responders. The accident was investigated by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department. Potsdam Fire provided a driver for Potsdam Rescue Squad to allow their medical personnel to treat one of the injured parties. The vehicles were towed from the scene by Martin's wrecker service.