Motorcycle MVA: I-79NB Under 228 Bridge

14:40: Stations 21 and 51 dispatched for a motorcycle crash on Interstate 79 northbound at the 78.2 mile marker. The operator is reportedly bleeding from the head.

14:41: Chief 41, on scene of a large gas leak on Rowan Road, is asking Control to send mutual aid to the crash. Chief 21 is responding.

14:42: Squad 21 is en route.

14:43: Control is advising 51-4 that Squad 98 has reported unavailable (they are transporting a patient with Harmony EMS).

14:44: C-21 is asking if mutual aid has been alerted yet; per Control, Station 185 has been alerted. He is asking for Station 42 also. RQ-42 copied directly and is responding.

14:45: SQ-21 is on scene stating this is NB directly under the 228 overpass. C-21 is also arriving, assuming Command.

14:47: Command is requesting a helicopter on standby. 51-4 is arriving on location and is being instructed to pull in front of the Command vehicle, possibly “behind the semi(?)”.

14:48: 51-4 is requesting either another ambulance or Medic 955.

14:49: 76-3 is clearing from the hospital, offering to assist and reporting en route. 51-4 is reporting the patient was not wearing a helmet and has labored breathing with an obstructed airway.

14:50: Control states Stat MedEvac 3 is standing by at their base at UPMC Cranberry. RQ-42 is asking which way to enter the interstate. They are to come off 228 NB, this is right at the end of the ramp, and set up for a landing zone.

14:51: A unit is being instructed to setup as a blocker for EMS. EN-42-2 is responding.

14:53: Command is requesting confirmation on the helicopter; Control is confirming Stat 3 is standing by. They are needed in the air to the interstate (the crash is only ~720-1,000′ behind the helipad). RQ-42 will be the ground contact. RQ-42 is asking if the old weigh station should be used; they’re advised negative, they’re needed at the scene.

14:54: RQ-42 is getting out.

14:55: The LZ will be right at the 78.2 MM. All traffic is being shut down.

14:56: Allegheny 185-EN-2 is on location.

15:02: The helicopter is airborne and is advised northbound traffic is shut down.

15:03: The pilot has a visual on the LZ and is circling to land.

15:06: The helicopter is being marked on the ground, just north of the 228 bridge near the northbound on-ramp.

15:30: Command is advising FP that once the helicopter leaves, 185-EN-2 will be released, and once they leave, I-79 NB can be opened to 1 lane.

15:33: The helicopter is departing the landing zone.

15:34: EN-42-2 is asking if they are to reopen the ramp and they are instructed to do so at this time. FP on I-79 are instructed to continue holding traffic. Command is asking for Countywide Fire Police for assistance; PSP is closing the roadway.

15:35: Control is asking the helicopter’s destination. Command states they believe UPMC Presbyterian. EN-42-2 is back in service. C-21 is also requesting his station’s tones for additional Fire Police.

15:37: Countywide FP and Station 21 are being alerted.

15:40: Lt-42 is instructing EN-42-2 to come to the south side of the 228 interchange.

15:43: 51-4 is clear of the scene but will remain out of service for decontamination.

15:44: Some FP are being directed to assist traffic getting off I-79 onto 228. Stat 3 is arriving on the helipad at Presby.

15:47: Cap-42 states RQ-42 is committed to the scene for accident investigation traffic control. He is requesting Station 19 be placed on standby in Station 19.

15:50: Command is instructing FP to setup so that traffic being forced off I-79 can go straight across the intersection to get back onto I-79 on the other side of the crash.

15:54: Lt-42 is advising there is a line of cars in both northbound travel lanes and the shoulder.

16:06: C-21 is directing the next available FP unit to 228 EB at the entrance to I-79NB.

16:12: SQ-21 is asking for Station 21’s tones for an MVA in Beaver County, 24 MM WB I-76.

16:13: 51-3 is advising C-21 this was a group of motorcycles fixing a motorcycle, it is not an emergency. Station 21 is released.

16:15: RQ-42 has been relieved by FP and is clear of the interstate, releasing Station 19 from the standby.