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.