Melville Fire Department Frees Driver Trapped in Crash

The Melville Fire Department used the “Jaws of Life” rescue tools to remove a woman trapped after the Lexus SUV she was driving struck a tree on the South Service Road east of Half Hollow Road on Thursday September 15, 2016 at about 6 pm. Thirty firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded with three ambulances, two engines, a heavy rescue truck, paramedic and fire police units. Melville volunteer firefighters were assisted by Suffolk Police Emergency Services in the rescue operation which involved removing the driver’s side door, cutting off the steering wheel and lifting the dashboard. Fire/Rescue units were under the direction of Chief Jason Bernfeld with Assistant Chiefs Paul Mahler and David Kaplan. The patient was transported to Nassau University Medical Center by the Melville Rescue Squad.

Story by Steve Silverman, Photos by Melville FD