At 6:07 PM, KVFD was dispatched to an accident reportedly with unknown injuries on Rt. #10, north of Rt. #30 in West Sadsbury Township, Chester County. KVFD fitness training was just ending and crews were assembling for training night so Ambulance 8-2, Rescue 8, Command 8, Traffic 8, Tac-8 and Utility 8 immediately were staffed and responded.

Upon arrival, Ambulance 8-2 and police officers from West Sadsbury Township searched the area but were unable to locate an incident just as a "second call" came in for a crash reported to be two vehicles, head-on and serious, in the area of the Griest Auction, 3600 block of Limestone Road, Highland Township, Chester County.

Chief 8, Chief Gathercole, immediately asked for additional resources knowing that it was possible we had two serious accidents and the Cochranville Fire Company, Westwood ambulance, Brandywine Hospital paramedics, Modena ambulance and Christiana Fire Company were dispatched.

Some area roadways had quickly became ice covered as the temperatures dropped creating dangerous conditions for those responding and working on the incident. There were numerous ice related incidents being dispatched County-wide.

The first incident was determined to be unfounded, or actually a bad location reported by passing motorist unfamiliar with the area. Those resources were re-assigned to the second incident and Chief 8 assumed "Rt.#10 Command", with Assistant 8 running Operations.

Two vehicles were heavily damaged, one with a driver suffering chest pains and entrapped, and a second with a child to be checked by EMS, and an adult and two other children refusing treatment. A total of five people were involved. Firefighters and EMT's worked together to extricate the first driver, she was evaluated by a paramedic and then transported to Brandywine Hospital by Westwood Ambulance. The other victims were checked by EMTs and released.

The roadway was closed for about 70 minutes with area fire police directing traffic and diverting it onto local roads. The icing on the road at the crash scene caused firefighters and EMT's to have to hold on to each other, vehicles and equipment so as to not slip and fall. At one point Rescue 8 actually while parked and unoccupied slid down the road a few feet until it hit a clear area, and stopped.

Motorists are reminded to exercise extreme caution over the next few nights. The roadways will re-freeze and this happens very quickly. If in doubt, cancel activities and stay home. Spring is coming!

Investigation is ongoing by the PA State Police.