KENT, Conn.—For the third time in three weeks, the Kent Volunteer Fire Department responded to a significant emergency the evening of Wednesday, April 8, around 9 p.m. when two cars collided head-on near 227 Kent Road (Route 7).
Assistant Chief Gary Hock, one of the first to respond to the scene, said the southbound car, which had the most severely injured passengers, had five occupants, while the northbound vehicle had only the driver.
He said three of the southbound passengers could be listed as critical.
A female passenger was airlifted to Yale New Haven Hospital while the male passenger, who was sitting behind the driver, was flown to Hartford Hospital. The other two rear-seat passengers were transported to Danbury Emergency Room by New Milford ambulances and paramedics.
The driver of the southbound car was transported to the Danbury Emergency Room by Warren Volunteer Ambulance.
The female driver of the northbound vehicle was also transported to the Danbury Emergency Room by the Sherman ambulance, accompanied by a Danbury paramedic.
Because of the severity of the incident, two LifeStar helicopters were requested, and a landing zone was established at Gaylordsville Fireman’s Field where it was managed by the Water Witch Hose Co. No. 2 out of New Milford.
“In total, we had six ambulances, two LifeStar helicopters, four paramedic units and two fire departments,” said Hock, who, as the first officer on the scene, took command. “In my 25 years of service, I can recall only one other incident where we required two LifeStar helicopters.”
He said he had been in Gaylordville when the company was toned out and he hurried to his South Kent home to get his pickup truck, which contained his emergency response gear. He arrived at the scene about the time the Gaylordsville team arrived and took control of the operation.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my members, our mutual aid partners, the Connecticut State Police, and all of the incredible teamwork, professionalism and dedication shown during this response,” he said, adding that the scene was one of the worst he had ever seen.
Nevertheless, he said the outcome could have been worse. “The accident was in the middle of the road. The river is right there, and it could have gone over the embankment and been so much worse. We didn’t have to extricate the passengers, and cars are so strong these days and have airbags.”
Usually at the scene of an emergency he is focused on his own tasks, “getting his hands dirty,” but as incident commander he got an overview of how well all the teams worked together.
“There was such professionalism and teamwork,” he said. “It was great how people came together—it was so fluent with everyone doing what they needed to do, one patient after another. I can’t hammer that out enough, how well they all worked together.”
It was difficult for him to assume a supervisory role at the scene rather than focusing on directly helping the victims.
“When I’m working, taking care of my patient, I get tunnel vision,” he said. “But this time, I was outside, working in different spaces. It was very, very difficult for me, but also so relieving. I’m so proud of my guys for going in there head-first. If I needed something, boom, it was there.”
Because of the size of the incident, it was “all hands on deck,” the assistant chief said. Kathy McCann and Ane Starr, both firefighters, were pressed into duty as ambulance drivers to bring the most critically injured to the landing zone.
While many were employed in the rescue efforts, he specifically mentioned ambulance assistant chief Jean Speck, who was “key in assessing victims,” fellow Assistant Chief Wendell Soule, who led operations getting victims out of the vehicles, and Gaylordsville Assistant Chief Douglas Leach, who led his team.
Mutual aid plays a large part in local responses and this time Kent was aided by the Gaylordsville fire department, with New Milford manning the landing zone for the helicopters and the Warren fire department managing road closures and standing by to take additional calls in Kent.
Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance provided coverage at the Kent firehouse, standing by to assist Kent and Warren while their rescue resources were at the accident scene.
The emergency responders were also supported by Connecticut State Police.
“I want to thank everyone who played a role,” Hock said, adding that the assistance did not end when the Kent volunteers returned wearily to the firehouse. “Cornwall Ambulance came in and backed us up, but they didn’t just go home. They stayed and completely deconned (decontaminated) our ambulances for us.”
After such traumatic calls, first responders are often affected by what they have seen. “A lot of times we just go back to firehouse and decompress. We’re good family. I have been a member for 25 years and I wish I had joined sooner—I might have changed my career. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood.”
“Our thoughts are with all the patients, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery,” he concluded.
What a crazy thing to happen!!
Great reporting for such a traumatic scene. The coordination efforts by the Kent Volunteer Fire Department, New Milford ambulances and paramedics, Warren Volunteer Ambulance, Sherman ambulance, accompanied by a Danbury paramedic, Connecticut State Police, Cornwall Volunteer Ambulance, the helicopters and receiving hospitals, all involved deserve real appreciation at the highest of levels. These are life changing circumstances for all involved – the brilliance in this coordination across town lines needs to be emulated beyond all boarders. Energy in recovery to the patient’s and safety to our future responders.
What was the cause of the accident—was it due to drinking, speeding, or something else? I think this is really important to highlight, especially as we head into spring and summer when there’s an increase in traffic and, unfortunately, more reckless driving on the roads.
The police are investigating.
I am one of the people who was injured in the accident on April 19. I came home from the hospital on Tuesday. My husband and two sisters are still in hospital or rehab. I just want to say how impressed we were were with the speed of the emergency response team and the professionalism and skill of all the responders. Then, to read here how many towns an departments came to the scene, I am simply filled with awe and gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank to all of those angels.