By Fernando Alba
syracuse.com
(TNS)
Update Friday evening: Four Syracuse firefighters taken to hospital after ambulance carrying child crashes
Syracuse, N.Y. — Four Syracuse firefighters were taken to a hospital Friday after an ambulance they were in crashed with an SUV.
The ambulance crew was taking a child to a hospital around 12:25 p.m. when the vehicles collided at the intersection of West Onondaga Street and Slocum Avenue, said District Chief Matthew Craner, a Syracuse Fire Department spokesperson.
The child was transferred to another ambulance and quickly taken to a hospital, Craner said.
Four firefighters were treated at a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Craner said.
The ambulance had heavy front-end damage.
The driver of the SUV was treated at the scene was released, Craner said.
Police are investigating the crash, he said.
Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com.
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PRESS RELEASE
On Friday, April 5, 2024, at 12:12 p.m., Syracuse Fire Department firefighters were dispatched on a medical call to the 1700 block of West Onondaga Street. Firefighters from Engine Company 3 on Bellevue Ave., as well as the Squad Company from Station 1 on S. State St., responded to the scene. The Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Ambulance 3, was dispatched as the transporting ambulance. Ambulance 3 is also based out of the Bellevue Ave. station. Firefighters arrived at the scene and provided treatment to a pediatric patient there.
Ambulance 3 then began transport of the patient to a local hospital, assisted by personnel from Engine Company 3 and Squad.
While en route to the hospital, at approximately 12:25 p.m., Ambulance 3 was involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of W. Onondaga St. and Slocum Ave. As a result of the collision, the ambulance sustained heavy front-end damage, and airbags were deployed. Firefighters following the ambulance in a separate fire truck immediately radioed for help and began to assess the scene. As personnel not involved in the crash rushed in to continue care of the pediatric patient and check on civilians and ambulance personnel, additional fire units arrived on the scene, along with several ambulances from American Medical Response (AMR). The patient from the original call was transferred to an AMR ambulance and immediately transported from the scene to a local hospital.
Several firefighters sustained injuries during the crash and had to be transported to local hospitals as well. The driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle involved, an SUV, was treated at the scene by firefighters and ambulance personnel and later released. Four Syracuse firefighters from Ambulance 3, Engine Co. 3, and the Squad Company were transported to local hospitals for various injuries sustained in the crash. None of the injuries sustained by firefighters are considered life-threatening. All firefighters were in stable condition at the hospital.
The Syracuse Police Department also responded to the scene. The scene was turned over to SPD once all patients had been transported and it was confirmed that there were no vehicle hazards. Syracuse Police are investigating the accident. We thank our partners at the 911 Center, SPD, and AMR.
