Story by MARK CHOLACH
Photos by BRAD COWAN

On Wednesday, August 21st at about 1430, Fire and EMS units form the West Webster Fire District were dispatched to a reported Motor Vehicle Accident with a tractor trailer involved and wires down at 1384 Empire Blvd in the town of Penfield.

Engines 1212, 123,125; Rescue 1218 and Ambulance 1219 were dispatched on the initial assignment.

Upon arrival of the first officer, there was a tractor trailer that had gone off the road, possibly flipped and went down a 50 foot hill.

In the process of going off the road, the truck took down 3-4 power poles knocking down live wires which started a brush fire and knocked out power to 3000 people.

The driver was trapped in the cab with multiple injuries.

Due to the complex extrication, mutual aid to the scene was requested from the Laurelton and Webster fire departments as well as additional units to cover empty stations.

Additionally, two instructors from the NYS Fire Academy were up the street, getting ready to teach a class in the area and happened to have a vehicle full of extrication equipment which was used to supplement equipment on scene.

The driver was extricated in 75 minutes, and then raised up the hill in a stokes basket.

He was transported to the Level 2 Trauma Center at Rochester General, where he is in satisfactory condition.

The entire operation took approximately 3 hours and an outstanding job was done by all.