One flown from I-81 tractor-trailer crash
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Firefighters work to free a driver from a crashed tractor trailer along Interstate 81 on March 15, 2021.
RYAN TOWNSHIP – One person was flown to a Montour County hospital after a tractor trailer crashed down a 70-foot embankment along Interstate 81 near Frackville Monday afternoon.
The crash happened around 5:00pm on Interstate 81 southbound at Mile Marker 125.3, between the Mahanoy City and Frackville exits.
Arriving crews from Englewood and Altamont found a tractor trailer on its roof at the bottom of a steep embankment along the side of the road, near the Schuylkill County Emergency Services Training Center, with the driver trapped inside.
Additional rescue resources were requested from Mahanoy City’s West End and Ashland’s Washington Hose fire companies. Originally dispatched as being at Mile Marker 124, in West Mahanoy Township, Englewood, Altamont, and William Penn fire companies were dispatched. With the actual location being in Ryan Township, Ryan Township Fire Co. was added as well.
Firefighters used rope rescue techniques to get down to the truck and, once freed, to get the driver to awaiting Shenandoah EMS crews.
Lehigh Valley MedEvac was called to airlift the driver to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, and the interstate was shut down to allow the helicopter to land at the scene.
Traffic was backed up for at least a mile while crews were on scene.
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