By Todd Hollritt West Paterson Engine 2 on I-80 westbound (note the tractor over the divider in the background).

By Todd Hollritt Car pinned under flatbed, one victim inside had to be removed by firefighters and Sheirff's ESU unit.

By Todd Hollritt Forward view of station wagon that came to rest with four trapped victims.

By Todd Hollritt Rear view of station wagon shows condition of the vehicle on arrival (note rear seat and passenger compartment where occupants were trapped).

WEST PATERSON - On October 13, 2005, the West Paterson Fire Department responded to Interstate 80 (westbound) for a report of a multiple-vehicle accident.

First to arrive on the scene was Assistant Chief Paul Salomone, Jr. who established command and immediately reported that he had a serious accident involving a tractor hauling an empty flatbed, and two cars with severe damage. He also had at least five victims entrapped in both passenger vehicles.

Engine 2, Rescue 1 and Engine 3 responded onto the rain soaked highway. There was also a request for additional ambulance units and paramedics from St. Joes Hospital. An additional request for Paterson fire personnel brought Engine 3 to the scene from the nearby city. Little Falls Fire Department Rescue 1 also responded to the scene to assist with extrication.

It was determined that for some unknown reason a station wagon traveling west on I-80 stopped in the middle lane during rush hour. A tractor-and-trailer travelling behind it actually struck the station wagon (in which there were four occupants), and then ran right over top of it. The resulting crash caused the tractor to swerve to the left and jackknife toward the eastbound lanes with its cab slumping over the center divider, pinning a second car traveling west under the flatbed.

Fire units had to deal with both gasoline from the crushed station wagon containing the four victims and a large diesel fuel spill from a ruptured saddle tank on the tractor.

As Rescue 1 went to work freeing the four trapped victims from the station wagon, Engine 2 set up foam-ready handlines for protection.

West Paterson Engine 6 responded onto the highway and set up a water supply using its booster tank water and Engine 3 as a precaution, as there were no nearby hydrants on the highway.

The Passaic County Sheriff’s Department's ESU Truck (equipped with extrication tools and officers trained in heavy rescue) soon arrived on the eastbound side of the divider and assisted fireman with extrication of the driver of the pinned car under the flatbed.

The driver was the only occupant but was unable to exit the vehicle. Fire and police units rolled the roof and used a backboard to remove the driver. He had only minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.

Meanwhile, West Paterson Rescue 1, with assistance from Little Falls, began the difficult task of freeing victims from the mangled station wagon. The two adults trapped in the front seat were removed by using the Hurst Tool to pry open the driver-side door.

There were also two young children whom were also pinned between the rear and front seats. Firefighters were able to carefully remove the young girl and boy. All four were transported to the hospital.

Sadly the little boy passed away enroute, due to the extent of his injuries. He would be the only casualty in this horrific accident. The driver of the tractor was the last to be transported to the hospital with injuries.

After completing the numerous extrications, the volunteer firefighters still had their work cut out for them. Units at the scene continued to contend with the HazMat operation by sealing off storm drains from fuel the runoff and containing the spill. Passaic County HazMat responded to the scene to assist with this task.

Due to heroic actions this night, Unit Citations and Life Saving ribbons will be awarded to firefighters from West Paterson Rescue 1, Engine 2 and Engine 3 for their initial actions.