Rt.12 shut down by head-on crash between van and tractor trailer
(New York State Police Photo)
OXFORD – A tractor trailer caught fire following a head-on crash with a van at about 4:44 a.m. this morning between Oxford and Norwich along State Highway 12.
Officials said no one was killed in the crash that involved only the two drivers.
A collision occurred in a 55 mph area with the vehicles traveling in opposite directions. The crash left the driver of the van pinned inside the wreck and sparked a fire.
According to Oxford Fire Department Chief Ron Martin, firefighters were dispatched at approximately 4:44 a.m. Friday morning.
Martin said upon arrival the tractor trailer was in flames, and there was a man trapped inside the van.
"The van looked like it was completely demolished," he said. "Because the driver of the tractor trailer was already out of the vehicle, extrication of the person in the van was our priority."
With a fire raging nearby he said it was probably the most challenging vehicle extraction the Oxford Fire Department has dealt with in a long time.
"How in God's name the man in that van survived is beyond me," said Martin. "We worked for about an hour to get him out of what was left of the van, and he was able to communicate with us throughout the process."
Law enforcement said the roadway at State Highway 12 near Phetteplace Road in Norwich was closed at about 5 a.m. and remained closed Friday morning. Officials were unsure of when the road might reopen while crews clear the road and police investigate.
A detour is in place with commuters using County Road 32, East River Road. Traffic is being diverted at the halfway house bridge around Rt. 12 and then to Rt. 220.
Fire Chief Martin thanked the efforts of the Norwich Fire Department, Brisbin Fire Department, State Department of Transportation, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, County Fire Coordinators Office, and Chenango County Dispatch, the extrication went smoothly.
"Everything came together, things went smooth, and everyone did what they had to do," said Martin. "Throughout the extrication, the tractor trailer burnt, and laid fuel on the road."
He described the trailer as a flatbed trailer with concrete on the bed.
"Norwich did an excellent job taking on the suppression portion of the tractor trailer," said Martin. "Two heavy duty tow trucks with crews are working to clear the area, but I'm not sure how long that's going to take."
He said people are encouraged to detour around the area using County Route 32.
"I want to make sure that all of my mutual aid partners are thanked, because this could have been disastrous without everyone's help," he added. "No firefighters were hurt, and in the end everything went smoothly."
According to New York State Police Public Information Officer Aga Dembinska, law enforcement is currently investigating the crash to determine who crossed over their lane, and the reasons surrounding that.
Dembinska said the crash was head-on involving a tractor trailer and a delivery van, and the tractor trailer caught on fire after impact.
She said the accident is still under investigation, and more information will be released once it's completed.
Officials said no one was killed in the crash that involved only the two drivers.
A collision occurred in a 55 mph area with the vehicles traveling in opposite directions. The crash left the driver of the van pinned inside the wreck and sparked a fire.
According to Oxford Fire Department Chief Ron Martin, firefighters were dispatched at approximately 4:44 a.m. Friday morning.
Martin said upon arrival the tractor trailer was in flames, and there was a man trapped inside the van.
"The van looked like it was completely demolished," he said. "Because the driver of the tractor trailer was already out of the vehicle, extrication of the person in the van was our priority."
With a fire raging nearby he said it was probably the most challenging vehicle extraction the Oxford Fire Department has dealt with in a long time.
"How in God's name the man in that van survived is beyond me," said Martin. "We worked for about an hour to get him out of what was left of the van, and he was able to communicate with us throughout the process."
Law enforcement said the roadway at State Highway 12 near Phetteplace Road in Norwich was closed at about 5 a.m. and remained closed Friday morning. Officials were unsure of when the road might reopen while crews clear the road and police investigate.
A detour is in place with commuters using County Road 32, East River Road. Traffic is being diverted at the halfway house bridge around Rt. 12 and then to Rt. 220.
Fire Chief Martin thanked the efforts of the Norwich Fire Department, Brisbin Fire Department, State Department of Transportation, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, County Fire Coordinators Office, and Chenango County Dispatch, the extrication went smoothly.
"Everything came together, things went smooth, and everyone did what they had to do," said Martin. "Throughout the extrication, the tractor trailer burnt, and laid fuel on the road."
He described the trailer as a flatbed trailer with concrete on the bed.
"Norwich did an excellent job taking on the suppression portion of the tractor trailer," said Martin. "Two heavy duty tow trucks with crews are working to clear the area, but I'm not sure how long that's going to take."
He said people are encouraged to detour around the area using County Route 32.
"I want to make sure that all of my mutual aid partners are thanked, because this could have been disastrous without everyone's help," he added. "No firefighters were hurt, and in the end everything went smoothly."
According to New York State Police Public Information Officer Aga Dembinska, law enforcement is currently investigating the crash to determine who crossed over their lane, and the reasons surrounding that.
Dembinska said the crash was head-on involving a tractor trailer and a delivery van, and the tractor trailer caught on fire after impact.
She said the accident is still under investigation, and more information will be released once it's completed.
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