PA Crews Rescue Driver from Overturned Recycling Truck

Aug. 27, 2019
The man suffered head injuries and was airlifted to an area hospital after Hazle Township firefighters pulled him from a recycling collection truck that had flipped on its side.

Firefighters rescued a man after the recycling collection truck he was driving crashed in Eagle Rock Resort, Hazle Twp., on Monday.

An emergency call to Luzerne County 9-1-1 reported a garbage truck overturned at Pine Valley Lane and Country Club Drive at 12:13 p.m.

Crews found the Mack truck marked County Recycling on its passenger side, and he driver was trapped inside.

Firefighters had to stabilize the vehicle before cutting into the roof, which they folded down to access the man, Hazle Twp. Fire Chief Scott Kostician said.

He was freed after 28 minutes and was apparently working in the private community with two other crew members who didn’t appear injured.

A medical helicopter was called to the area. He was flown to a regional trauma center with head injuries.

Nuremburg and Harwood fire companies set up a landing zone atop the ski slopes of the resort.

Firefighters from Sheppton-Onieda and Sugarloaf Twp. also responded.

State police at Hazleton are investigating.

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©2019 the Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pa.)

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