Fairfield Firefighters Respond to SUV/Car Crash on Black Rock Tpk, April 3

Fairfield, CT - On Wednesday, April 3 at 10:20pm, Fairfield Fire Units E5, E2, L2, R1, and C3 responded to a reported motor vehicle accident with injuries in the area of 4680 Black Rock Turnpike. PD arrived on scene and confirmed a large SUV with two people trapped inside requiring extrication, and a large pickup truck on its side with the occupant unconscious and unresponsive. PD further reported that Black Rock Tpke was impassible south of Tanglewood Road. C-3 directed R-1 to access the scene from Tanglewood Road and E5, L2, and E2 from Black Rock Tpke. 

E5 arrived on scene and Lt. Jay Swindon established command. He directed the crew of Ladder 2, Firefighters Brian Madia, Matt Striebe, and Jeff Denitto, to gain access to the unconscious victim in the pickup truck. Firefighter Madia used a rescue saw to remove the front windshield while FF. Striebe crawled in the back window of crew cab pickup. Together they opened the airway and stabilized the driver.  With the help of FF. Denitto and the Medic Crew from AMR they quickly and safely removed the driver from the vehicle and transported to the Hospital by AMR. 

When Rescue 1 arrived on scene, Lt. Swindon directed FF. Rich Carlo, Frank Zwierlein, and Jordan Charney to utilize hydraulic rescue tools and rescue the occupants of the second vehicle, two women. Rescue 1 was assisted by firefighters from Engine 2 and Engine 5. Both victims were assisted by medic crews form AMR and transported to the Hospital with non-life threating injuries.

Firefighters and police officers using thermal imaging cameras worked together to search the wooded area along Black Rock Turnpike for additional victims that may have been thrown out of the overturned pickup truck. A primary and secondary search was conducted and no additional victims were found. Rescue 1 and Engine 5 remained on scene to assist PD with hazard control and lighting as they conducted their investigation of the accident. 

According to Asst. Chief George Gomola, the incident commander, “Firefighters, Police Officers, and the medics from AMR did an excellent job quickly working together at the accident scene, providing emergency medical treatment, rapid extrication from an overturned vehicle and a heavily damaged SUV, and rapid transport to the hospital. This was a job well done by all first responders!” 

PHOTO: Firefighters work to extricate occupants of SUV