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GREENLAWN
Misfortune For Minivan
Vehicle carrying two infants
flips, leaks gasoline after striking pole
By Matthew Vita/ info@longislandernews.com
Gasoline leaked from an
overturned minivan, as Huntington Manor firefighters strained together
to flip the vehicle onto its wheels, assuring the safety of responders
and passengers at the scene of the accident Sunday afternoon.
The minivan had been carrying two men, a woman, and two infants
when the accident occurred on July 20.
When I arrived the vehicle was still running, said Fire
Chief Robert Herley, of the one car accident that occurred on Pidgeon
Hill Road at the corner of Greenhills Road. Everyone was out
of the vehicle.
The passengers were helped from the vehicle by Good Samaritans whom
Herley assumed worked at a nearby day care center.
Witnesses said that the accident may have been caused when another
car made a sudden stop to turn onto Greenhills Road. The minivan
then allegedly swerved to avoid a collision, struck a utility pole,
and flipped onto its side.
The Chief explained that the minivan was also leaking gasoline at
the time of his arrival. Members of the fire department quickly
righted the vehicle to prevent further leakage. The car was then
shut off and the battery disconnected in order to secure the safety
of the passengers and the responders.
The driver, a 31-year-old man, received a laceration on his arm
in the accident and was bleeding heavily when Herley arrived. According
to Mary Conover, the Chief of the Huntington Community First Aid
Squad, the injured man had a possible fracture of the injured arm.
He was transported by the First Aid Squad to Huntington Hospital
for treatment. The other four passengers, who received minor bruises
but were otherwise unharmed, were also transported to Huntington
Hospital to be checked for further injuries, she added.
Herley said that he was not sure if the passengers were wearing
seat belts, but he did say that there were two car seats in the
minivan for the infants, though he was unsure of weather or not
the infants rode in the seats.
Always wear a seat belt, said Herley, and have
children in car seats. The Chief explained that the use of
these protective measures greatly increases the chance of surviving
an accident.
Two engines from the Huntington Manor Fire Department responded
to the accident in addition to the Huntington Community First Aid
Squad.
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