» Four Dead in Route 156 Accident

Four Dead in Route 156 Accident

At least three people were killed in South Bend Township last night near Shelocta after a two-vehicle head-on collision along Route 156. Multiple ambulances and medical helicopters responded to the crash site to assist after successful extrication from firefighters.

by Jonathan Weaver

A two-vehicle crash in South Bend Township last night killed four motorists and injured at least three more.

The crash occurred about 10:30PM near the intersection of Route 156 and Gobblers Run Road.

At least three State Police vehicles responded to the crash, along with fire fighters from Kiski Township and Elderton Borough and multiple ambulance units from the Citizens Ambulance Plumville and Elderton stations and Oklahoma/Vandergrift EMS.

Armstrong County Sheriff Bill Rupert, Coroner Brian Myers and Deputy Coroner Bob Bellas also were on-scene.

Although an initial landing zone for STAT MedEvac helicopters was to be set up at the nearby-Keystone Power Plant, emergency responders moved the landing zone closer to the collision site. At least three helicopters were utilized to transport injured motorists.

According to an Elderton Fire Department official via emergency dispatch, “severe” entrapment with at least one patient caused expedited assistance for extrication. Firefighters were still attempting extrication more than an hour after the original emergency dispatch.

After the first helicopter left the scene shortly after 11:15PM, the second and third helicopter lifted off shortly after midnight.

Rural Valley firefighters also responded early Thursday morning to assist.

State Police and firefighters expected to investigate the incident for several hours overnight into Thursday morning. The Salvation Army was contacted to assist emergency officials on-scene.

Additional details of this story will be available during hourly newscasts on WTYM AM 1380 radio.