At about 6:30 PM on Thursday evening, February 29, Katonah Fire Department volunteers were dispatched to a reported three car motor vehicle accident on Interstate 684, with reports that an occupant in one of the involved vehicles had been ejected from their vehicle. Further reports indicated the patient may have fallen down underneath the interstate overpass that spans Beaver Dam Road and into the water below. Yorktown's Dive Team was requested to the scene as a precaution in the event extended water rescue operations were required.
Initially, units responded both to 684 and to Beaver Dam Rd. below in an attempt to confirm the ejection and locate the patient. 2213 established the scene on 684 while 2212 established the scene below. Good samaritans and 2213 went down the embankment and located the patient approximately 50-60' below the highway in serious condition. 2212, Bedford PD Officers, and a KBHVAC EMT accessed the patient from the low side, crossing the waterway to assist with patient care.
2211 established command on 684 and determined that best access for the removal would be from 684. Using a Stokes basket and rescue ropes, crews extricated the patient from the ravine and moved him up to the waiting ambulance on the overpass.
New York State Police requested KFD units remain on scene following patient removal while they conducted an accident investigation.
KFD expresses its thanks to BHFD, KBHVAC, and BFD for their assistance at this complex operation, as multiple ambulances were requested due to there being other patients from the initial motor vehicle accident. Thanks to Yorktown FD dive team for their fast response, Bedford PD for their assistance in patient removal, and to South Salem FD for covering the district while KFD operated.
Units:
Car 2211, Car 2212, Car 2213, Rescue 17, Ladder 39, Engine 115, Utility 8, Utility 22.
Mutual Aid:
Battalion 13, Bedford Hills FD, Bedford Village FD, Katonah-Bedford Hills VAC, WEMS Medics, Yorktown FD Dive Team, South Salem FD, Bedford PD, NYSP, and several Good Samaritans