July 15, 2004

EDITORIAL

Exceptional response to accident

It was a harrowing scene of broken glass and twisted metal. In the middle of downtown Xenia Avenue on a beautiful, warm Tuesday morning, sat three cars, their drivers injured, one passenger banged up but OK. People interrupted their morning routines to attend to the victims, letting them know that they would be OK. More than a hundred concerned people lined the street, watching as emergency crews from four jurisdictions and law enforcement officers confidently did their jobs.

John Grote, the captain of the Village police force, said that it was the worst accident, in terms of number of cars and damage, in Yellow Springs that he could recall in the last 20 years. But the accident could have been a lot worse. As many people noted on Tuesday, it was fortunate that no pedestrians were crossing the street when that red GMC Jimmy came barreling down Xenia Avenue.

The accident reinforces several facts about the Miami Township fire department and the Yellow Springs police, as well as the importance of seatbelts.

EMS and law enforcement personnel responded in a professional and meticulous manner. They were well prepared to handle the myriad tasks that such a horrible accident requires, including assisting the victims and using the Jaws of Life to extract two drivers from their vehicles. Yellow Springs Police Chief Carl Bush, Captain Grote and dispatcher Ken Metz worked diligently to secure the scene, take statements from witnesses and, with help from the Ohio State Patrol, decipher what happened during the accident.

Fire Chief Colin Altman reported that Miami Township Fire-Rescue received the accident call at 10:10, and two minutes later, an ambulance was on the scene. At 10:16, a fire engine arrived, followed by a rescue truck at 10:18. Thirteen Miami Township fire department members responded to the incident. They were assisted by fire departments from three neighboring jurisdictions. The response, Chief Altman said, “went very well.”

Both Bambi Williams, who was driving her car when it was hit, and her passenger, Bob Baldwin, said that they were impressed with the EMS crews. “The squad did such a fine job,” Ms. Williams said after she was released from Greene Memorial Hospital. “There’s no way to commend them enough.” Mr. Baldwin also said that he was impressed with the hospital and its staff.

The accident is a reminder of the importance of wearing a seatbelt whenever you get in a car. Just ask Bob Baldwin, who said he had some aches and pains but did not have a scratch on him. “I’m walking testimony” of the value of wearing your seatbelts and the effectiveness of air bags, Mr. Baldwin said.

The incident is also a reminder of the professionalism of Miami Township Fire-Rescue and the Yellow Springs Police Department. This community is lucky to have such dedicated volunteers and staff.

—Robert Mihalek