Just minutes after returning to Fire station #1 from an earlier morning structure fire Thursday, Merrill Fire and EMS personnel received a page from 911 Lincoln Dispatch at 12:33 p.m. for a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Scott St. and E. 7th St. in the City of Merrill, with multiple patients. Merrill Fire units including Rescue 1, Medic 1 and Medic 3, all responded immediately to the scene.
Upon arrival Merrill Fire rescue personnel found two vehicles near the intersection of Scott St. and 7th St., with significant damage to both vehicles and airbags deployed, with one vehicle in the middle of the intersection and the other up on the boulevard. Paramedics quickly assessed the scene and started to triage all the individuals who were out of both vehicles upon the arrival of the rescue personnel.
Merrill Police assisted on the scene helping to control traffic and shut down the intersection, while rescue personnel treated and packaged a number of patients with numerous traumatic injuries on the scene. Merrill’s third ambulance Medic 2 was also requested to respond to the scene to assist with the number of patients and transport. Tomahawk EMS was requested to standby in Irma.
Rescue 1 personnel assisted the Medic crews and controlled fluids leaking from one of the vehicles, no extrication equipment was necessary, as none of the patients were trapped in either of the vehicles.
All three of the Merrill Ambulances transported patients from the scene to Good Samaritan Health Center in Merrill. In all a total of 5 patients were transported with injuries. Merrill Fire and Rescue personnel were on the scene for about an hour. The Merrill Police Department is investigating the cause. Merrill Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Hintze stated, “the individuals were wearing seat belts, which may have helped in reducing the seriousness of the injuries.” He would like to remind all motorists (drivers and passengers alike) to buckle up, even in town.