Monday, September 20, 2021

32 Injured, 3 Critical, 5 Flown in Bus Crash Along Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County


Dozens were injured and remain in the hospital after a bus crash Sunday afternoon in Schuylkill County.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police , the incident occurred around 2:36pm near the off ramp of Interstate 81 southbound at the Hegins Exit in Frailey Township.

At the time of the crash, three coach buses were travelling together from Premiere #1 Limousine, from Middletown, transporting teens and adults that were members of a church group from Lancaster.

Police said the driver of the second bus, Adam Wright, 37, of Lancaster, lost control, traveled off the right shoulder of the roadway, striking several road signs and through the exit ramp area.

The bus continued across Route 25 striking the center guide rail, into an embankment and approximately 50 yards into a wooded area.

State Police said 32 passengers including the driver were injured in the crash, 3 in critical, and 5 were flown . The others were all transported by ground by EMS.

State Police Public Information Officer Trooper David Beohm says that the driver, Wright, is awake and talking with authorities as the investigation is still ongoing.

The PSP CARS, FSU, and MCSAP Units are all part of the investigation.

State Police are asking anyone with information or witnessed the incident to contact the Frackville Barracks at (570) 874-5300.

According to Ricky Ney Jr., EMS Command for District 67, reported the following EMS units from Schuylkill, Lebanon, Dauphin, and Northumberland Counties responded:
  • Tremont Transport & EMS - Transported 10 Patients
  • Pine Grove EMS - Transported 1 Firefighter Patients
  • Pitman EMS - Transported 1 patient
  • Geisinger EMS (Minersville ) - Transported 1 Patient
  • Geisinger EMS (Tremont) - Transported 1 Patient
  • Schuylkill EMS - Transported 1 Patient
  • Hegins EMS - Transported 1 Patient
  • South Central EMS (Dauphin) - Transported 2 Patients
  • Williamstown EMS - Transported 3 Patients
  • Northumberland County Area Services - Transported 8 Patients
  • Tower City EMS was on scene but left to another EMS call
Additionally Community Life Team, and 2 Life Lion Ambulances followed EMS by ground for some patients.

A breakdown of patients by ground went to the following facilities
  • Geisinger Medical Center - Shamokin -  8 Patients
  • Lehigh Valley-East Norwegian -  7 Patients
  • Hershey Medical Center - 8 patients
  • Geisinger Medical Center - Danville - 1 Patient
Aircrafts called to assist transporting patients to Geisinger or Hershey Medical Center
  • Geisinger Life Flight 1
  • Geisinger Life Flight 5
  • Geisinger Life Flight 6
  • LVHN Medevac 1
  • LVHN Medevac 7
  • LVHN Medevac 4 (Not used)
  • Life Lion 1

According to Schuylkill County 911 communications, the following fire apparatus were on scene
  • FD12 - Frailey Township 12-10, 12-50, 12-70, 12FP
  • FD67 - Tremont - 67-50, 67-10, 67-70, 67FP
  • FD21 - Pine Grove Township - 21-50
  • FD13 - Hegins Township - 13-10, 13-50, 13FP
  • FD58 - Pine Grove 58-15
  • FD52 - Minersville 52-52
  • FD43 - Frackville - 43-10
  • FD26 - Ryan Township - For Rehab
  • Dauphin County FD24 Fire Police (Williamstown)

Other Schuylkill County Resources that were involved
  • Schuylkill County EMA
  • Schuylkill County Transportation System
Outside agencies included:
  • Geisinger Flight Ops- Helicopter dispatch responsibility
  • Eastern Region MedCom-Mass Casualty Incident Notification
  • Pennsylvania State Police-Accident responsibility
Scott Krater, Director of Schuylkill 911 said "Our staff did an outstanding job, not only was the staff dispatching units but was on the phone checking on other resources, (ie. hospitals, how many patients they could take, other counties for available EMS units, STS for available transport vehicles of non injured)".

Ricky Ney Jr, EMS Command said "From the Tremont Area Ambulance, we would like to thank and express how much we appreciate everyone's assistance."

Photo above by Don Scicchitano/ D. Scicchitano Photography