I-684 Chain Reaction Leaves Overturned Septic Truck, Car In Ravine

GOLDEN'S BRIDGE, NY — The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle accident and went to work in a fraught and messy situation that sent two to the hospital.

The chain reaction crash unfolded Thursday afternoon on southbound I-684, south of the Rt. 138 overpass.

The crash involved an overturned septic truck. Some of the truck’s contents, which had a sewage odor, spilled onto the roadway, according to fire officials.

A second vehicle, which was a passenger car, jumped the guard rail and veered into a gully abutting the Metro-North train tracks, coming to a stop when it careened into a tree, according to fire officials.

A pick-up truck was the third vehicle involved.

When the call came from emergency dispatch at 1:56 p.m., Golden’s Bridge firefighters were alerted to a potential passenger extrication required and multiple victims injured. Fortunately, said fire officials, it turned out that no one was trapped in any of the vehicles, whose occupants were given medical attention by EMS-trained firefighters who assisted a Westchester EMS paramedic also dispatched to the scene.

Officials said personnel from the volunteer ambulance corps of Lewisboro and North Salem continued treatment before transporting two of the victims to Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla. Two other occupants were treated at the scene. Officials did not disclose the injuries of those involved in the accident.

Traffic on the highway came to a standstill, according to Golden’s Bridge Deputy Fire Chief Robert Melillo.

Although there was no indication of fire, he said firefighters immediately ran a hand line from Engine 138 as a precaution. He said they also worked with New York City Department of Environmental Protection personnel, who were on the scene since the Muscoot Reservoir system is in close proximity, to determine if any action was needed to mitigate the effects of the spill.

Firefighters mitigated the spill by turning off a valve on the truck’s tank and by creating a dyke beyond the downhill side of the truck to help contain the spill.

Golden’s Bridge firefighters managed the accident scene and directed the southbound traffic, which was backed up for miles to Hardscrabble Road Exit 8.

"One of our primary functions at the scene quickly became highway safety, freeing up New York State Troopers to conduct their investigation," explained Melillo, who noted that it could’ve been a more complex event had it occurred during the evening rush. "Our Golden’s Bridge firefighters performed on task, making sure traffic flowed through the stretch of highway without further incident, and that all emergency responders on the scene could move about and do their jobs and operate safely and effectively."

Despite it being the middle of the day, more than 20 Golden’s Bridge volunteer firefighters responded with several of the department's equipment, which in addition to Engine 138, also included Rescue 25 and Engine 140.

Melillo praised the rapid and coordinated efforts of Golden’s Bridge firefighters and the other emergency responders and agencies — which also included the New York State Department of Transportation — on the scene.

"Our firefighters made sure those who sustained injuries were removed to a safe space and provided the appropriate medical attention, and that the spillage was contained," ” Melillo said."They helped resume traffic flow responsibly and safely. It was a well-coordinated effort between the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department and our partners in emergency response."