Massive Accident Shuts Down Road in Orange County

A devastating multiple-vehicle motor vehicle accident shut down 17A in Goshen, NY.

Drivers in Orange County had to find an alternate route after an accident involving nine vehicles forced officials to close Route 17a for approximately four hours on Wednesday.

Major Accident in Goshen, NY

According to the Town of Goshen Police Department (GPD), it all started on Wednesday, March 11th, at approximately 2:47 PM, when Orange County 911 dispatched GPD to a multiple-vehicle motor vehicle accident on Route 17A in Orange County, NY.

Upon arrival, officers located a serious scene and discovered that a total of nine vehicles were involved, including a tractor-trailer loaded with logs that had rolled over onto its roof. In total, nine vehicles were involved, with the majority of the occupants able to self-extricate from their vehicles.

Police said the driver of the log truck was pinned upside down inside the cab for an extended period of time, and the driver of a second vehicle was also stuck inside their vehicle along with a pregnant female and a rear-seat passenger.

First Responders Jump Into Action

Police said that multiple departments responded to the scene and quickly jumped into action, and began life-saving measures, including extremely complex extrication operations using hydraulic rescue equipment. Firefighters were able to successfully get both drivers out of their vehicles.

In total, six patients were transported to two area hospitals for treatment.

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Due to the severity of the crash and the rescue operations, Route 17A remained closed for several hours. It was fully reopened at approximately 7:15 p.m.

Video From the Accident Shows "Courage, Compassion, and Selflessness"

Following the accident, Goshen PD was able to watch surveillance video that captured the entire event and shared thoughts on Facebook, saying,

"In the middle of chaos and fear, the true character of the citizens in this community really showed. The citizens who stopped to help at the scene of the devastating multi-vehicle tractor-trailer rollover didn’t hesitate—they stepped forward with courage, compassion, and selflessness. They didn’t pull out their cell phones to start recording. They didn’t sit by and watch. They didn’t keep driving to their destinations. In the first moments there are no police officers or fire or EMS. Just cries for help and the destruction that people rarely have to see or experience. Their quick actions and willingness to help strangers in their darkest moment reflect the very best of humanity. True heroes aren’t always in uniform—sometimes they’re the people who simply refuse to drive past when others need help."

 

The department ended the post saying, "The Town of Goshen PD is impressed. Thank you!!!" We are as well, great job by all involved!