Two injured after a two-vehicle accident on Route 356
Two people were hurt, one seriously, in a two-vehicle near head-on collision Sunday afternoon on Route 356, authorities said. The wreck about 3 p.m. closed a portion of the road for at least five hours. State police are investigating. An accident report was not available this morning.
The crash happened on North Pike Road, also known as Route 356, near the Chapelview Drive intersection when the driver of a pickup truck apparently crossed into opposing traffic and collided with a car. Both vehicles were severely damaged and the truck ended on its side. Volunteer firefighters from three departments were called to rescue two women trapped inside the car and to help with traffic control. A hydraulic extrication tool was needed to cut off the car's roof and pull off the doors, said Michael Remper, assistant chief for the Winfield Township Volunteer Fire Department.
A medical helicopter landed in a field about 100 yards from the wreck and flew the driver of the car to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The woman reportedly underwent surgery for serious injuries but she was expected to recover, rescuers said.
An ambulance took the other woman to an unknown hospital. The driver of the pickup was not injured.
Police accident reconstruction specialists were also called to assist in the investigation.
Assisting the Winfield VFD were firefighters from Buffalo Township and Saxonburg.