On-Track Crash at Lernerville Speedway

14:31: Chief 27 is contacting Butler Control to request air medical to Lernerville Speedway; his Station is to be dispatched for a landing zone.

14:32: Station 27 is being dispatched.

14:35: Control is asking C-27 if there is any patient information for the aircraft. He states, “Not at this time, I’ll update you as soon as possible.” Control advises Stat MedEvac 16 has an ETA of 10 minutes. They are currently at their base at ACMH Kittanning.

14:37: C-27 is marking extrication complete; CPR is in progress. The LZ will be out in the parking lot. Lt-27 and Cap-27 are headed there.

14:39: Control now advises that Stat 3 is inbound instead with an ETA of 10 minutes. That aircraft is already airborne, just east of Rochester in Beaver County; they were apparently returning to their base at UPMC Cranberry. They have now diverted toward this incident. Engine 27 is en route to the scene.

14:41: Station 45 is asking C-27 if 45-1 needs assistance; his reply is affirmative.

14:42: EN-27 is on scene.

14:43: 45-2 is responding.

14:45: SQ-27 is on location; they’re to block one of the entries. Stat 3 is attempting to contact the ground crew, although his flightpath is headed north of Lernerville at this time.

14:46: Control is advising C-27 that the pilot attempted to contact him. He’s now on Air Ops 1 and providing the LZ briefing for the pilot.

14:47: 45-2 is being instructed to come in the pit entrance; they’re right outside the pit gates. The aircraft is beginning to circle an area just north of the Concordia complex on Marwood Road, about 3¼ miles northwest of the incident.

14:48: The pilot states he is over the coordinates he was given and is asking if C-27 has visual contact, but he does not. The pilot is asking if there are any buildings for reference, and C-27 is referring him to Lernerville Speedway.

18:49: The aircraft has now begun to turn toward the south; they’re currently near the intersection of Bonniebrook Road and Rt 356.

14:51: C-27 is reporting he has visual and is at the helicopter’s 12 o’clock.

14:52: The pilot is verifying the exact LZ with C-27.

14:54: C-27 is marking Stat 3 on the ground at Lernerville.

15:00: (111?) is asking 45 units or C-27 if they know the destination of the aircraft, and they’re advising they do not, yet.

15:25: Stat 3 is airborne to Pittsburgh.

15:29: EN-27 reports all FD units are back in service.

15:38: 45-2 is back in service.

15:39: Stat 3 is on the helipad at UPMC Presbyterian.


I’ve learned that the driver in this crash, Shane Nolan, tragically passed away Monday afternoon, and my heart goes out to his family and friends. Non-graphic photos from this incident — depicting nothing more than first responders doing their jobs — will be shared at a later date. Anyone with heightened sensitivities to such materials may wish to avoid this post.